Keeping tuba from slipping on lap

[balchb]

Couldn't you just cut a nice C-shaped section out of your family heirloom sterling silver pitcher (to match the look of your tuba) and solder it on (off-center) to the lower side of your bottom bow so it catches on one of your legs and doesn't slip?

...and yeah, but sure to file off the rough edges to avoid tearing your trousers...

leg-ironz.jpg

Now I thought spray-on adhesive with extra pants in a gig bag was a weird idea... This one definitely wins!

[ScottM]

I dont put my horn in my lap as it makes my leg fall asleep. I use a rolled up hand towel. I can configure it so it is a variety of heights. Relatively cheap and lightweight. I have a couple so if one gets dirty i just switch it out for a clean one.
I don't find it to be slippery as the horn nests into the towel. I think it gives me a good playing position as well.
ScottM

[balchb]

I talked with a local pro and he said he likes the horn on the lap as he can have a better feel for the horn and I completely agree (despite the numbness )

I liked the double leg wrap, but I'm definitely giving the bow wrap idea a try!

[Davidus1]

I have the same issue with the tuba slipping. A cheap and easy fix for me was a 6x10 strip of the rubberish shelf lining material. A roll of it is cheap and can be used on the bottom bow of the tuba. What I'm doing is keeping a 6 x 10 strip that I tuck in like a napkin laying over my right leg and that keeps the tuba from slipping. It is working well. I eventually want to wrap my bottom bow with it but haven't had the time to devote to it yet. Good luck in your search!

[tubalaska]

I use a strip of yoga mat. The same principle as shelf liner, but it has more padding. And again, cut to desired length. Mine is black so it blends right in with concert attire.

[opus37]

I use one of those neoprene leg wraps for knees that you get at the drug store. I put in on the bottom of my tuba. It helps prevent bumps and dings on the tuba and it provides padding and non slip properties to keep the tuba on my lap. It is adjustable for the correct position and it can easily be removed because it is held in place with velcro straps. It is not very thick so it does not affect the position of the mouthpiece.

[balchb]

I use one of those neoprene leg wraps for knees that you get at the drug store. I put in on the bottom of my tuba. It helps prevent bumps and dings on the tuba and it provides padding and non slip properties to keep the tuba on my lap. It is adjustable for the correct position and it can easily be removed because it is held in place with velcro straps. It is not very thick so it does not affect the position of the mouthpiece.

Velcro... Great idea!

[tubajon]

CoFlex bandage wrap might work. Kind of like an ACE wrap but it sticks to itself not the horn.

[PaulMaybery]

I did notice one thing, that is something we just may need to live with. Certain horns respond much better when not being dampened by resting on the legs or on some sort of soft pad, such as a padded chair. One very well known pro mentioned that he prefers the tuba on a stand where it is more free to resonate. I had an old York Master Model BBb that when rested on a hard chair in it's natural position, just to the left of the center of the bottom bow (the player's left also) felt much more resonant and vibrant. When I would hold it on my legs (or a padded chair) the sound felt different. I doubt that a listener could tell the difference, but there was a definite difference in the feel. My BMB F is so extremely vibrant and resonant that I really so not sense a difference even with the wrap on the bottom bow. In fact there are times when I would not mind a little damping on the horn. It has such an ambience and enveloping sound. But that is another issue.

[Bacchanalia]

Try this...It's the easiest, most convenient thing I've found.viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66971&start=24#p552783

[balchb]

I did notice one thing, that is something we just may need to live with. Certain horns respond much better when not being dampened by resting on the legs or on some sort of soft pad, such as a padded chair. One very well known pro mentioned that he prefers the tuba on a stand where it is more free to resonate. I had an old York Master Model BBb that when rested on a hard chair in it's natural position, just to the left of the center of the bottom bow (the player's left also) felt much more resonant and vibrant. When I would hold it on my legs (or a padded chair) the sound felt different. I doubt that a listener could tell the difference, but there was a definite difference in the feel. My BMB F is so extremely vibrant and resonant that I really so not sense a difference even with the wrap on the bottom bow. In fact there are times when I would not mind a little damping on the horn. It has such an ambience and enveloping sound. But that is another issue.

This may sound weird, but I wouldn't mind deadening the extra ring in the bell. The bell is so long and rings very freely and loudly (the actual metal). If I play a high C really loud the bell goes nuts.

I physically can't sit with a tuba stand as I need the back support and the horn naturally rests in my lap so easily anyway. It's very comfortable to hold, but it slips and slides and puts pressure on the right side of my back from needing constant correction.

[balchb]

I did buy a new kitchen mat and made the strip longer to wrap around both legs. The horn was very stationary at the concerts and it put an equal amount of pressure on both legs as well as my back. I think I'll keep this for now. Thanks, everyone!

[PaulMaybery]

I appreciate the reference to using the back of the chair. I like to sit straight or even tilted a tad to the rear with the head directly over the spine. (Hence the horn on the lap helps achieve that) I feel an enormous difference in the resonance due to a wide open throat and thoracic cavity. I seem to lose this when I crane my neck forward. Having the horn on the lap and my head somewhat back and over the spine makes a huge difference in my sound. It seems as though my sound is coming from my nether regions and not choked off at the throat or anywhere in between for that matter. I suppose my goal would be to somehow rig up all my horns (lead pipe angles in particular) so I could enjoy this posture. It doesn't seem quite as realistic on the BAT due its size, that is being able to pull it back enough to achieve this posture. It is similar to a singer who is trying to maximize his chest tones. Again, this is one of those things that is perceived from behind the horn, but I'm not sure how much of it is appreciated by the listener.

[Steve Marcus]

A cheap and easy fix for me was a 6x10 strip of the rubberish shelf lining material.

Has anyone heard or, even worse through experience, verified that there can be a chemical reaction from the rubberized shelf liner than can harm or corrode the silver finish on the bottom bow?

[balchb]

A cheap and easy fix for me was a 6x10 strip of the rubberish shelf lining material.

Has anyone heard or, even worse through experience, verified that there can be a chemical reaction from the rubberized shelf liner than can harm or corrode the silver finish on the bottom bow?

My prof always uses this for his PT-10 and I don't think he ever had a problem with it.

[theatomizer13]

Try the foam lining that you can buy at Wal-Mart (or any other retailer of your choice) that you use for the bottom of your silverware drawer in your kitchen. It comes in many different colors. You can cut it to the size you need to fit over both legs and it works great!

^^^ This^^^

Shelf liner works great, and it's cheap! If you wear black slacks, get black. If you wear khaki, get khaki. I have a piece about close to 3' long I keep in my F tuba gig bag (I like my stand for bigger tubas). I drape it across my legs, put the tuba on top. Works like a charm.

YES! I didn't do this until I got to a University from Jr. College. Best answer!