After playing euphonium in our local community band for a couple of decades, I started doubling euphonium/tuba to fill a need in the band. I bought a Mack Brass TU210 rotary valve 4/4 tuba (I didn't want to invest a king's ransom in a tuba since I'm retired and I wasn't certain I would be able to make the switch--really nice horn, by the way).
I've been trying mouthpieces that would work with this horn. Last night at practice I was trying out a Conn Helleberg 120. I liked the range and how it sounded, but my articulation was sloppy. The player who sits next to me told me that the funnel-shaped Helleberg doesn't work as well with a rotary tuba and that I should look in the direction of a bowl-shaped mouthpiece. I've also been trying out a Schilke 69C4, which is bowl-shaped. The articulation is better with this mouthpiece, but anything below a Bb is hard to reach.
So I'm open to suggestions for the Goldilocks mouthpiece: the range and depth of the Helleberg and the improved articulation of the Schilke. Any thoughts?
Thanks, David
Goldilocks mouthpiece
- MartyNeilan
- 6 valves
- Posts: 4873
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:06 am
- Location: Practicing counting rests.
Re: Goldilocks mouthpiece
Bach 18?
-
- bugler
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:01 pm
Re: Goldilocks mouthpiece
For bowl shaped mouthpieces the RT-82 or if you prefer a larger mouthpiece the RT-88.
Kelly mouthpieces does make a mouthpiece that is similar to a Bach 7 called the "KELLY - POLKA." The Polka seems to only be available in 1 or 2 piece steel though. The Polka seems to also be a large mouthpiece. I personally have not tried the Bach 7 or the Polka version myself.
Another option might be the Denis Wick AT4. I have not tried this mouthpiece either.
I'd recommend you try the RT-82 though. I personally bought that one recently and should spend more time with it. Even if I end up using other mouthpices that I own more often.
-------
If you want to stay with funnels though, you could try the RT-44 or RT-48 too.
Some links below:
https://www.robert-tucci.com/mouthpieces.html
https://www.kellymouthpieces.com/specs/index.asp
https://www.deniswick.com/product/aaron ... 5449218750
Kelly mouthpieces does make a mouthpiece that is similar to a Bach 7 called the "KELLY - POLKA." The Polka seems to only be available in 1 or 2 piece steel though. The Polka seems to also be a large mouthpiece. I personally have not tried the Bach 7 or the Polka version myself.
Another option might be the Denis Wick AT4. I have not tried this mouthpiece either.
I'd recommend you try the RT-82 though. I personally bought that one recently and should spend more time with it. Even if I end up using other mouthpices that I own more often.
-------
If you want to stay with funnels though, you could try the RT-44 or RT-48 too.
Some links below:
https://www.robert-tucci.com/mouthpieces.html
https://www.kellymouthpieces.com/specs/index.asp
https://www.deniswick.com/product/aaron ... 5449218750