I've been having a question rolling around lately: if one was to build a horn and choose the leadpipe installed (and specify the mouthpiece receiver), are there benefits to choosing American (Standard) over Euro, or vice versa? Would there be positive effects for having American on a large bore, Euro on a small bore, neither, etc.?
Ideas and suggestions are welcomed.
Which to choose: Euro or American?
-
adelarosa
- bugler
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:34 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
-
windshieldbug
- Once got the "hand" as a cue
- Posts: 11516
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
- Location: 8vb
Re: Which to choose: Euro or American?
This is only part of the system which include embouchure, mouthpiece, backbore, bore, over-all bore profile and intended use.
The only way to know is to test all of these in total.
The only way to know is to test all of these in total.
Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?
-
Matt Walters
- The Tuba Whisperer
- Posts: 462
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:20 am
- Location: Woodbridge, NJ
Re: Which to choose: Euro or American?
If you already have a mouthpiece that feels great to you, stay with that. Build (find) the tuba to fit your mouthpiece so you are comfortable playing it. Does it matter what color the truck (finish on the tuba) or how big of a truck ( 5/4, or 6/4 size tuba) if no matter how you adjust the seats (use a tuba rest or move and/or modify the leadpipe) you just can't reach the pedals or get comfortable? If you have a mouthpiece that seems to work well and feels great to you, build your dream tuba with a mpc receiver to fit that.
Personally I like mpc receivers that will accept both American (sitting in deeper) and the slightly larger Euro shank. I set up the internal gap so it works best on my American shank mouthpiece. If an Euro shank tuba mouthpiece playing person wants to play my tuba, they still can. It just won't be as ideal as if played with the mouthpiece that I use. Wait, I should take that back. How arrogant of me to suggest that the mouthpiece that works for this fat old guy with crooked teeth who after working in a music store 10-12 hours a day, doesn't go home and practice each night (Gynecologists don't hang out at a strip club after work.) is the right mouthpiece for someone else. Maybe for someone else, an Euro shank mouthpiece does work best on one of my custom built tubas.
So back to my first statement. If you already have a mouthpiece that works great for you, stay with that.
Personally I like mpc receivers that will accept both American (sitting in deeper) and the slightly larger Euro shank. I set up the internal gap so it works best on my American shank mouthpiece. If an Euro shank tuba mouthpiece playing person wants to play my tuba, they still can. It just won't be as ideal as if played with the mouthpiece that I use. Wait, I should take that back. How arrogant of me to suggest that the mouthpiece that works for this fat old guy with crooked teeth who after working in a music store 10-12 hours a day, doesn't go home and practice each night (Gynecologists don't hang out at a strip club after work.) is the right mouthpiece for someone else. Maybe for someone else, an Euro shank mouthpiece does work best on one of my custom built tubas.
So back to my first statement. If you already have a mouthpiece that works great for you, stay with that.
Matt Walters
Last chair tubist
Who Cares What Ensemble
Owns old tubas that play better than what you have.
Last chair tubist
Who Cares What Ensemble
Owns old tubas that play better than what you have.