Tuba Mouthpiece

[pulseczar]

Hi,
I've been playing tuba for abotu 2 years now and I think I need to buy my first tuba mouthpiece.

I'm currently playing on a Bach Megatone 7 (any comments on that?) which really helps with the pedal tones because I love pedal tones but since that mpc is my friend's, it's not fair that I keep using it. I also don't play for any wind band. Currently I play for the school marching band I have dreams of joining Drum Corps also.

I was thinking a Helleberg 7B, which is industry standard or so I hear and I would like to try it.

Another mpc I was thinking was the Perantucci 88, which I hear has a cup diameter of 33mm, which is about same as the megatone I'm playing and that might help me in my love of the low notes. Anybody have any comments on the sound Perantuccis make?

Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.

[tubaman5150]

A Bach 7 is good inexpensive mouthpiece for large ensemble playing, but it is a bit large for me. If your looking for a great "all around" mouthpiece, try a Bach 18. The Megatones are nice, but you might try the less expensive normal Bachs first. I don't think you'll be dissappointed.
The Helleberg 7B is a small funnel shaped mouthpiece that would be a radical departure from the Bach mpcs. The Conn Helleberg 120 is the popular model. Its simply referred to as "Conn Helleberg" (sans 120) at most music stores. It is a medium large funnel shaped mouthpiece that is good for all around playing. If your used to a Bach, you may find the Helleberg rim uncomfortable. It also will have quite a different sound. A PT88 would be closer to what your playing, but at a greater cost. If you like the Bach, try the Bach first. Don't worry about what's popular.

[Kevin Hendrick]

You might also want to look at the Kelly Lexan mouthpieces (they have Lexan versions of the Conn Helleberg, Bach 18, 24AW, and 25).

[Rick Denney]

I was thinking a Helleberg 7B, which is industry standard or so I hear and I would like to try it.

You should get advice from a teacher, who can hear and see you play (unlike any of us). The best you'll get from us is an opinion that works for us, and not necessarily for you.

That said, a switch from a Bach 7 to a Conn Helleberg 7B might be a bit shocking. You are going from a very large and wide cup-shaped mouthpiece to a rather small funnel-shaped mouthpiece. If you want to try a funnel-shaped mouthpiece, the regular Conn Helleberg (NOT the 7B) is a little bigger and will probably be a bit less of a change. But it has a rather sharp, narrow rim that isn't much like a Bach.

If you basically like your mouthpiece but want something a little more general purpose, then I second the other recommendation for a Bach 18 or one of its copies. It's the most versatile of the Bach-style mouthpiece, in my opinion.

Both the Bach 18 and the Conn Helleberg are relatively inexpensive. And both are not the biggest available, which I think is where you should be at this point. Playing a big mouthpiece is something those of us with weak embouchures do to make a bigger sound, but it comes at the expense of a clean, focused sound. I'll bet a teacher would lead you to something more mid-sized than a Bach 7.

Rick "who is moving away from toilet-bowl mouthpieces" Denney

[TubaRay]

I just assumed that I needed to practice more and more with the big mouthpiece to develop the control I have with smaller cups. Have I been expecting too much out of the 7?

My answer to this would be "yes." Otherwise I would ditto what Rick posted. He's right on the mark. In general, I would say that a large mouthpiece requires a more mature player with strong chops. That is not to say that a large cup mouthpiece is always the best choice for that player. There a a number of factors involved, including the type of tuba being used. Having someone advise you who is able to hear you play is sound advice(no pun intended). Alright, I guess it was intended.

I hope you find what you are looking for. Personally, I really prefer the sharper rim of the Helleberg mouthpieces to the huge rim of the Bach mouthpieces. I have much greater range and flexibility with the Helleberg. I played a Bach 18 for a very long time. I don't expect to ever go back to it, though. I presently use a regular Conn Helleberg for small ensembles and a Mike Finn 3H when I need a bigger sound for the large ensembles. This seems to work well for me.

Best of luck!