Whats the best kind of C tuba for a teenager?

[tmuabxa]

I'm 15 and own a sweet VMI B flat tuba. I'm am thinking about going into the field of music as a profession and have heard from a few teachers that I need to learn C tuba. I was wondering if anyone had any sudggestions as to what brand of C tuba is the best to play, or which is the best to buy. Budget isn't a problem because I bought my tuba ($5,000) on my own. Any suggestions as to what's the best?

[windshieldbug]

bloke is absolutely right. Plus, you need to think about the time-frame you're talking about; how long does this horn need to last you? The answers you get may be very dependent on your answer; if it is only a couple of years, then perhaps a small horn where you can focus on the change is best whereas if you're thinking you may major on this sucker, then a much bigger instrument that you'll have to grow into will be the ticket.

But, if it's only a name and number you want, who out there is willing to give me a commision?

[phoenix]

you just need to go to a music store (dillon's, woodwind brasswind) and just try some horns. develop your own opinions. i've learned that relying on others opinions isn't always the best way to go. living relatively close to woodwind brasswind over in south bend, indiana, you should take a road trip over there and talk to roger and try some horns.

[T. J. Ricer]

I'm not sure if I read the budget line in there right, but if you're looking for a good CC to start on under 5K, talk to Sam Gnagey (of the Ft. Wayne Phillharmonic at tubanurse(at)aol.com), he is making professionally viable CC tubas in that price range. (that is the only CC that Tim Olt at BGSU owns at the moment and Don Harry at Eastman just added one to his collection of tubas) St. Petersburg is actually making a pretty nice rotary CC tuba in the below 4K range now, I think. . . Just some thoughts on cheaper places to start. If budget is not an issue that opens a whole new can of worms. . .

--T. J.

[Randy Beschorner]

Given that you're next door to Bloomington, why not check with Mike Forbes at ISU to see if there are any good used ones around the school. He might be the best local resource you can find.

If you don't have a teacher for tuba, he might have one of his students available for giving lessons as well.

[tmuabxa]

Given that you're next door to Bloomington, why not check with Mike Forbes at ISU to see if there are any good used ones around the school. He might be the best local resource you can find.

If you don't have a teacher for tuba, he might have one of his students available for giving lessons as well.

Dude,
Thanks for teh sudgestion. That will be very possible because I study with him

[Doug@GT]

What kind of tuba do you have right now?

I own a sweet VMI B flat tuba.

Judging by that assessment, I see no reason to switch.

Doug "who plays a sweet CC, but likes it because it's sweet, not because it's a CC"

[Matt G]

Whats the best kind of C tuba for a teenager?

Cheap.

Works.

Plays in tune.

Can be resold for what you pay for it.

[/thread]

[Mark E. Chachich]

My opinions,

Do not buy a CC tuba until you know where you are going to college and who you will study from. Discuss your goals with that teacher and get an honest evaluation of your playing. You and your teacher may decide what you have is fine, or that you should get something else (ah, the future). These are some of the duties of a good teacher, this is the person that can help you avoid a costly mistake.

Money spent on lessons at your age will be better spent. Also, save money for your future tuba if you get one.

In the meantime, go to ITEA conferences, the good musical instrument stores (Baltimore Brass, Dillon's, etc...) and try everyone's tuba that will let you try it. That way you will know more or less what is available and you will most likely have fun trying tubas (I do). Talk with tuba players about what they play and why they like and dislike the tuba that they have. Remember, all information will have a personel bias. Also remember that a used instrument often gets you more tuba for less money.

best of luck and have fun,
Mark

[MaryAnn]

Your question will be read by 98% of respondents as "What brand/model of CC tuba do you own?" Laughing

Ok then, in that case Meinl-Weston 2155 it is! <snip> I have several mouthpieces I use depending on the situation, and I am pretty well covered for everything but the highest solo parts (i.e. Bydlo). This is not a plug for the 2155, just an example. <more snip>

When Empire Brass was here in town for a combined concert with TSO, the last piece on the program was a Sousa march. I was in about the 10th row; I had been unable to hear the (EB) tuba hardly at all during the EB pieces, but on the Sousa march....when everybody was blasting their pants off, I could hear, loud and clear, the orchestra's tuba player on his 2155 doing the Oom Pahs. I have since played that tuba, and would own it in an instant if I could reach the pistons well enough. That tuba can project with someone playing it who knows what he's doing.

MA

[ken k]

My opinions,

Do not buy a CC tuba until you know where you are going to college and who you will study from. Discuss your goals with that teacher and get an honest evaluation of your playing. You and your teacher may decide what you have is fine, or that you should get something else (ah, the future). These are some of the duties of a good teacher, this is the person that can help you avoid a costly mistake.

Money spent on lessons at your age will be better spent. Also, save money for your future tuba if you get one.

In the meantime, go to ITEA conferences, the good musical instrument stores (Baltimore Brass, Dillon's, etc...) and try everyone's tuba that will let you try it. That way you will know more or less what is available and you will most likely have fun trying tubas (I do). Talk with tuba players about what they play and why they like and dislike the tuba that they have. Remember, all information will have a personel bias. Also remember that a used instrument often gets you more tuba for less money.

best of luck and have fun,
Mark

Best advise yet....
ken k

[phoenix]

tmuabxa,

Check out wnazzaro's 1291 in the "for sale" section:

viewtopic.php?t=9965

Great horn for an excellent price