Stuck Mouthpieces

Stuck mouthpiece? Be careful - sometimes, the mouthpiece is tightly enough stuck that force will tear a nearby joint. Avoid pulling or twisting too hard. It is easy to mis-align slide tubes or cause other damage.

Brute force is usually not the best policy.

1. Try twisting the mouthpiece as you pull. This will get most out.
2. Try the same with a latex kitchen glove - just wrap it around the mouthpiece, and give a moderate twist as you pull.
3. Still stuck? Find a teacher or friend with a mechanical mouthpiece puller.

Once you have it out ... don't do that again. Never tap, hit, or force the mouthpiece into the instrument.