I hear all this talk about 1c and 1.5c . What is the differnce and which of the two is better?

The inner diameter of the 1c is in theory bigger then the 1.5c. I think the difference is in the cup but whatever. When I was using the 1c, I used it for everything, I wasnt much of a player then, but as I worked on stamp exercises, tone and muscle development occured. I moved to the 1.5c because it was just a bit smaller and I started using it for extending the range, err, stuff above high c. I didnt really have much for range exercises, so I just kinda did the stamp exercise out of the pedals into the upper register using major triads, kinda like a flow exercise. I then joined drum corps, and with my current range, which was about an f above high c at forte, they used me to hold out those upper splits in cords, like high c`s an d`s for like ever. I also did this on a 1.5c. Then after that season I had a g above high c pretty solid so the brass tech told me to move to a 3d, which is a shallower cup on a 3 rim. I had that for like ever, then I had my whole mouthpiece phase, I wont get into that but if youre interested Ill let ya know what I found. Now I am on a 3c, but it feels like a 5d, and the yamaha bobby shew lead and bobby shew 1.5 from the marcinciewiz line for lead stuff. I personally dont like marchinciewiz but thats a different story, ask if ya wanna know. My current range on the bobby shew lead is a Bb above high c at triple f. I appologize for ranting, i have no idea how the topic changed to range but I felt like it was part of the story. However, to comment on someone else on the 1 rims, they feel like toilet bowls, but if you work hard at em, they will give you some strength that not many can replicate. Once again sorry for ranting, Im taking judo and my head is all messed up from those breakfalls....lol.

Oh btw, when I used the 1 rims, everyone told me I had a much better sound, so going to the smaller rims cost me tone for a better upper register. Basically I have to work alot harder to sound cornetish on the smaller pieces then I did on bigger ones. Its a gamble really, depends what you want to get into, sounding pretty in the money register or sounding hot in the upper register, its really up to you. I chose lead and it has actually gotten really good but im getting cued for my tone all the time in master class and even ensembles. Im not saying that I dont sound good, basically what happens is when I start to get lazy with the whole tone/flow idea my tone slips and someone gets in my face about it. It kinda depressing and stressful but when it comes to big band or even drum corps Ill top ya, just ask.

Oh and what my tone sounds like when it slips is its brighter, somewhat airy and it goes into an extreme with tuning, usually flat. God I love judo....LOL.

Does anyone else wonder why it is that some people can`t answer a question like Amber`s without going into a bravado that`s all about how high they can play?

Amber,
"theincollegeguy" (good for him) answered your question in the first line of his post. Everything else and the following two posts were irrelevant to your concerns.

Realtively: Your 1C mpc is sized according to the numbering system used by Bach and Blessing. Other manufacturers use different numbering systems for what are physically and techinically the same mouthpiece. Bach alone offers over 100 trumpet mouthpieces of varioius combinations of cup diameter, cup depth, and shank backbore. The one that`s right for "you" is the one you can play most comfortably with throughout "your" range. When it comes to finding the perfect mouthpiece for any one person, there are many factors involved, including thickness of the lips and forward dental structure.

Very true, I appologize for that rant.

what is 14A4a equal to? (in bach mouthpiece sizes)

A 14a4a is not like a Bach mouthpiece, its deeper and has its own size, i believe. Too bad the lead trumpet player in my jazz band had to steal mine and not give it back for almost a year and i still cant get it back