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I don't think it is the tuba much because I am playing in a brass band on my VMI 3301 and am not having any troubles. CC__Tuba__Guy is probably rite about the mouth piece.

My 2 cents:

In a normal bass line a tuba should never play fortissimo.

Not even when the maestro asks for it.

You cant do the sound of 3 or 4. Fortissimo probably doesnt do what the maestro wants...

Just an opinion.

Anterux wrote:My 2 cents:

In a normal bass line a tuba should never play fortissimo.

Not even when the maestro asks for it.

You cant do the sound of 3 or 4. Fortissimo probably doesnt do what the maestro wants...

Just an opinion.

If Fortissimo = blatty, I wholeheartedly agree.

However, if Fortissimo = the same quality of sound, but just more of it, then I think that is probably what they want.

The best way to practice playing loud is to practice playing loud. The more you practice loud, the louder you will ultimately be able to play.

ummmmm.....
let get this right? You play in the Brass Band of Central Florida, who some in this country regard as one of, if not the top Brass Band in the US and you're below average?

Anyhow, I have never been or ever will be a fan of the PT88, they are just too big, I would suggest trying a helleberg style moutpiece (or a bowl equalivelant of a similar size). I think I know your horn and I think it would be a fine size, one of our tuba players is playing on a MW Bill Bell model horn (granted the other plays a 345 Holton) and he puts out more than enough sound for us. I think Marty hit it on the head about playing loud, you just have to do it. I've been working on playing Rochuts (Bordognis whatever) as loudly as I can with a beautiful tone and still be relaxed, I've found it to be helpful.

Best of luck, I'll see you at NABBA.
Bill Pritchard
Eb tuba Georgia Brass Band

The two mouthpieces specifically designed for the job:
Denis Wick 1 and 2 for smaller receivers
1L and 2L for American receivers

In one of my first symphony orchestra experiences, as a youngster in my early 20s, I had a conductor who didn't think much of tuba players. The bass bone player told me this before my first rehearsal with the group. "The last tuba player left in disgust," he said, "Bill, do you think you will last?" For our first concert, we played the "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Rimsky-Korsakov. If you are familiar with the tuba part, it's only one note: an E on the leger line just below the staff, an eighth note played with the whole orchestra. It was the only thing I played for the first concert. It sort of made me wonder, "Why bother?" But it was something to do, it kept me off the street. The first rehearsal, for the first 30 minutes, we worked just on that opening eighth note chord. We must have played it 50 times. The first time, the conductor said, "Tuba, you're playing the note too long." The second time, "Tuba, you're playing the note too choppy." I got the length of the note correct, and for the next 48 times, when not criticizing the trumpets, all of the conductor's comments were about me playing too loud. I looked at him and his head was buried in the music. He never really looked at me. Maybe he couldn't stand to look at me. I felt sick to my stomach, so I snuck off to the rest room. When I came back, he was still saying, "Tuba, you're too loud."

D'oh I was hoping to see you guys play, I've heard so much about the BBCF. Good luck with everything this year.
Bill

Jonathantuba wrote:My advice would be to try not to think of Fortissimo as loud, but a big round sound. Concentrate on opening up your throat and mouth cavity.

Also make sure that you're not 'pushing' the air out. Relax, and then sigh. That's how easy your breathing should be when you play. It makes a huge difference in the sound, especially in the low registers. It gives the sound a much bigger resonating sound.