Mondstuk

Mondstuk is the Dutch term for the mouthpiece, the part of a device that is placed in the mouth to interact with it. In music, mondstuk usually refers to the component at the end of a wind instrument that shapes the air stream and sound. Brass instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, and tuba use a detachable metal mouthpiece consisting of a rim, cup, throat, and backbore. Players select mouthpieces to match the instrument, their embouchure, and the desired timbre and response. A larger cup and thicker rim tend to require more lip tension and produce a darker, broader sound; smaller cups and thinner rims favor brightness and higher flexibility.

Woodwind mouthpieces, as used on clarinet and saxophone, hold a reed and are shaped to influence airflow and articulation. The mouthpiece, together with the reed, ligature, and facing length, determines how the instrument speaks, its resistance, and its tonal character. Materials vary, with metal, hard rubber (ebonite), and plastic being common; shapes range in rim thickness and bite, cup depth, and chamber size.

Beyond musical instruments, mondstuk is also used for the mouthpiece of other devices that are placed in the mouth to deliver air or input, such as certain medical or recreational devices. The term combines Dutch mond (mouth) and stuk (piece) and is widely used in both technical and musical contexts.