An instrument for a mouthpiece

Instruments like saxophones and trumpets have detachable mouthpieces. These are the parts through which air is blown.

Played by themselves, the mouthpieces make funny squeaking or buzzing sounds. Attached to their instruments, however, clear tones are possible — sounds which are much grander and more versatile than the mouthpieces can make independently.

With their own particular designs mouthpieces produce distinct timbers. A single mouthpiece will not work for every player, and certainly not for every instrument.

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Here's the thing. Each of us has a kind of instrumental mouthpiece of our own: our voice. It works in a particular way, and there are networks where it will resonate. There are venues and communities where our voice will take hold — where it will cause change to happen.

And at the same time, there are places where our voice is a poor fit. Same effort, same force of breath... but the result is mostly squeaking and buzzing.

Our challenge is not to figure out how a tuba mouthpiece can be forced onto an oboe. Our challenge is to make the right connections with the right instruments. To find instruments which will carry our message with clarity. To engage with the groups and platforms where our voices will resound.