# Leadpipe

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Part of a brass instrument that receives the mouthpiece

This article is about the component of brass musical instruments. For the type of plumbing, see [Lead pipe](/source/Lead_pipe).

[Piccolo trumpet](/source/Piccolo_trumpet) in B♭, with swappable leadpipes to [tune](/source/Musical_tuning) the instrument to B♭ (shorter) or A (longer).

Basic trombone anatomy tuning slide counterweight mouthpiece slide lock ring bell knob/bumper water key/spit valve main slide second slide brace/stay first slide brace/stay bell lock nut

Scheme of a [French horn](/source/French_horn) (*view from underneath*). #2: Leadpipe.

In a [brass instrument](/source/Brass_instrument), a **leadpipe** or **mouthpipe** is the [pipe](/source/Pipe_(fluid_conveyance)) or [tube](/source/Cylinder_(geometry)) into which the [mouthpiece](/source/Mouthpiece_(brass)) is placed.

For example, on the illustration of a [trombone](/source/Trombone), the leadpipe would be between #3 and #4, the mouthpiece and the slide lock ring. In the illustration of a [French horn](/source/French_horn), the leadpipe is #2.

## Detachable leadpipes

Most leadpipes are permanently fixed in the instrument, though aftermarket changes, usually carried out by a repairer, are quite common.[1] Some instruments have a detachable leadpipe to allow changing [key](/source/Key_(music)#Instruments_in_a_key); to permit the player to easily select different playing and tonal characteristics;[2] or simply to act as the instrument's main tuning slide where the shape, or other design issues, make this the best place for it. The use of the leadpipe as the main tuning slide is particularly common in [flugelhorns](/source/Flugelhorn) and [piccolo trumpets](/source/Piccolo_trumpet) though not unknown in other instruments. For example, in the Selmer piccolo trumpet in the photograph, the leadpipes are used for all three functions: the aftermarket Blackburn pipes shown have different playing characteristics from those of the stock Selmer pipe;[3] the choice of leadpipe determines whether the instrument is in A or B♭; it is also the main tuning slide.

## See also

- [Bocal](/source/Bocal)

- [Venturi effect](/source/Venturi_effect)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NajoomPipes_1-0)** ["Najoom Trumpet Leadpipes"](http://www.najoom.com/leadpipes.htm). Dennis Najoom. Retrieved 17 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SWPipes_2-0)** ["Smith-Watkins B-flat Trumpet Leadpipes"](http://www.smithwatkins.com/library/science/b-flat-trumpet-leadpipes.html). Smith-Watkins. Retrieved 16 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BlackburnPipes_3-0)** ["Piccolo Leadpipes (Flash page: please click through for the product list)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130509184652/http://www.blackburntrumpets.com/products.html). Blackburn Trumpets. Archived from [the original](http://www.blackburntrumpets.com/products.html) on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2012.

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