Mouthpiece wierdness

[MaryAnn]

Listen to Doug Elliot. He is an expert, not the only expert but one I would certainly listen to.

On technique, which has not been mentioned: Since I developed focal dystonia and had to learn to play differently (basically with air instead of chops, although my sound for some reason has not changed that I can detect) my tuning slide is all the way in all the time, except in the most extreme of temperatures (outdoor concerts over 100 degrees.) That was not so before dystonia; it was usually out about half an inch (on a horn, not a tuba.) So it is a worthwhile enterprise for basically anyone to try the full range of chops vs air on a single pitch: get that pitch with as much chops and as little air as possible, and then go to the other end and get that pitch with as much air and as little chops as possible. It can be enlightening if done with mindful attention.