Testimonials

Trumpet player and cornetist

I recently switched to the new Sparx 2* cornet mouthpiece. I have found that the sound I am able to get is rich and dark, while still maintaining ease and flexibility both in range and endurance. I am very much enjoying performing solos and playing in larger ensembles with this mouthpiece.

Jonas Feldman –
Toronto based
Trumpet player and cornetist

Proud Father of Two Trumpeters

Hi Ted,
Years ago I bought a Sparx Cornet mouthpiece for my youngest daughter who was around 8 years of age at the time. She loved playing it on her Besson cornet and still does. I recall that I got in touch to say how impressed I was with the quality of the piece and the speed of delivery.

Why or how we then came to have an instant messenger conversation of some kind, I can’t remember at this distance in time, but we did and you asked if you could ‘speak’ directly to my daughter briefly to ask for her feedback on the mouthpiece as a player. She told you she liked the comfort of the mouthpiece and how it played. She was also impressed that the maker himself sought her opinion of it.

Now, a lot of years later I’m after a mouthpiece for my eldest daughter, Jane, who also plays cornet – a restored American King Master from the 1950’s, in the London Brass Band. I’ve included a link to a Youtube clip in which she’s talking about the brass band she belongs to. She’s a professional actress so she freely volunteered for the interview when everyone else seemed to back away 😊.

She is a 2nd or 3rd cornet player and I want to buy her a Sparx for her birthday. I’m not a player myself but I can tell you that she likes a more mellow sound rather than a bright tone, although Her King Master does seem to have a quite a bit of a Trumpet character to its tone compared to the Besson. If you could point me in the right direction regarding your range of mouthpieces that would fit her King Master, and her tone preference, I would be very grateful. Thank you.

All the best,

Tom

Soprano cornet

After about 15 years away from brass banding (I was playing the trumpet professionally) I returned a few years ago and was looking for a mouthpiece. Something comfortable and with a similar feel to my trumpet one, but that still gave me a classic cornet sound. After reading many different things on forums I thought I’d give the Sparx range a go and settled on a 4B soloist. I loved it straight away and it as served me well over the last few years.

I was then asked if I’d like to move to Soprano and jumped at the chance having played soprano before and really enjoyed the experience.

I straight away emailed Ted for some advice on mouthpiece choice and he suggested the 4C. I ordered it without hesitation and it arrived a couple of days before my first rehearsal on Sop.

Well it’s amazing, it has all the range and comfort I need for soprano whilst still keeping a beautiful sound throughout all registers.

Thanks again for the fantastic mouthpiece.

Andy Harris – Soprano cornet

Cornet – New York Staff Band

With my Sparx mouthpiece I get a more open and relaxed sound, especially in the upper register, as well as a more immediate articulation response. It also helps in finding the balance between the sweet cornet sound and a more powerful approach when it is needed. It makes the physical side of playing much more efficient!

Daniel Wajda

Principal Cornet, Lommiswil Brass band

As an aging Eb Soprano Cornet player, it was time to give up my seat and return to the Bb Cornet.

Having played on the Sparx 4E soprano mouthpiece for many years, I consulted with Ted on a suitable alternative mouthpiece for the Bb cornet. What I needed was support in the upper registers and a good overall Cornet sound. After discussions, we settled on the 4B Soloist. Have to say I am very pleased with this selection. It ticks all of my boxes.

I highly recommend Sparx mouthpeices and appreciate the excellent advice and support provided by Ted.

Steven Hawkes (Principal Cornet, Lommiswil Brass band, Switzerland 2019)

Orillia Silver Band

I play solo cornet on the front bench of the Orillia Silver Band and I use Sparx Soloist mouthpieces as do several of my colleagues. I find the Sparx mouthpiece provides the tonal characteristics and range required to meet the needs of the music I play. Ted Sparks has a remarkable variety of choices such that the specific needs of the individual player can be met.

I highly recommend these mouthpieces for the professional and semi-pro cornet player.

Randy Hoover, Solo Cornet
Orillia Silver Band

Weston Silver Band
Hannaford Street Silver Band

My SPARX 4 for Bb, and 4E for Eb, have worked beautifully since I picked them up almost 15 years ago. I was coming off a few years of not playing at all, and when I decided to play again, Ted recommended his line of mouthpieces. I’m so glad he did. It was like I had been playing all along as soon as I tried it. Pitch, darkness of sound, and a clear upper register were all there immediately. I’m a huge fan of things that make playing easier, and the SPARX mouthpieces certainly do that. Thanks again Ted, for the recommendation years ago.

Brad Norton
Weston Silver Band
Hannaford Street Silver Band

Empire Brass

The Sparx 2B -soloist- cornet mouthpiece sounds and feels great!

Marc Reese

Windsor Symphony, Stratford Festival Orchestra

Hello, Ted! It was great to be playing with you again. I just wanted to thank you for bringing in the mouthpiece for me to try. It took literally one note for me to know I had to have it! It really opened up my horn and the rim is perhaps the most comfortable one on which I’ve ever played. There was simply no question about using it on the show. Thanks again Ted.

Philip Séguin