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I hazard to say that often, it's the just the horn/MOUTHPIECE combination!

Scooby Tuba wrote:Have you noticed this with any horn? Noticed the opposite? Have you bought a new horn (or "new to you") and seen a dramatic result either way and been surprised, good or bad?

Yes, I have certainly noticed that.

When I bought the York Master from Chuck, I noticed right away that it had more dynamic range than the Miraphone. It was easy to play softly, but it provided more reward for more air. So I started using more air. When I bought the Holton, I had the same experience again, but to a much greater extent. It has really encouraged me to find ways to use air to create resonance rather than just shoving air through the horn.

Now, when I play the Miraphone, I sound better than I ever did before buying those other instruments.

Whether it's a natural progression that would have happened anyway or the result of playing those instruments, I can't say and I'm not sure it matters.

Rick "who thinks instruments that provide more reward for good technique encourage better technique" Denney

Back when I was still pretty novice at horn playing, when things weren't going well I'd haul out my back up horn, which happened to have a larger bore than my regular horn.

After honking on it for 15 or 20 minutes, I'd get more air supply going without realizing it. Then when I went back to my regular horn, I'd be using more air and "it" would play better. For some reason that worked a lot better than just trying to use more air in the first place. It was right-brained instead of left brained, I guess.

I still have my regular horn (sold the backup) and don't seem to need those air warmups any more. Nothing like playing tuba for a few years to teach you how to exhale.

MA

You mean we're supposed to EXhale!? No wonder my playing sounds like crap!

The times I have concentrated on F tuba my bass trombone playing improved - they are typically in a similar tessitura. Unfortunately it has not worked the other way around.

MartyNeilan wrote:The times I have concentrated on F tuba my bass trombone playing improved - they are typically in a similar tessitura. Unfortunately it has not worked the other way around.

I'm the opposite. I've found that since I've been REGULARLY playing euphonium, my embouchure / air control in the high range has changed (for the better IMO). I never thought I'd actually enjoy playing euph (if only to better my bass tuba playing).

d(who would be practicing that very thing right now if not for the solo and ensemble kids taking over the music building)temp

MaryAnn wrote:Back when I was still pretty novice at horn playing, when things weren't going well I'd haul out my back up horn, which happened to have a larger bore than my regular horn.

After honking on it for 15 or 20 minutes, I'd get more air supply going without realizing it. Then when I went back to my regular horn, I'd be using more air and "it" would play better.
MA

When I was studying trumpet, I used a variation of this. I discovered that when I spent an hour practicing tuba immediately before my trumpet lesson, I could go in and make a hugh trumpet sound. I made an "A" in trumpet. I do not find any positive correlation between playing trumpet and playing tuba, however. I notice that the more I play trumpet, the more I find myself telling everyone how good I am. LOL

Yes, as a Euphonium player, I am in ithe process of trying out a few horns here and there. I am going for a pea shooter studen Yamaha 201 to a Professional model so the dealer made me use a 6 1/2 AL Bass Trombone mouthpiece so it wasnt too much for my embouchure to get used to. (this made me kkinda mad cuz I couldn't even hear the REAL potential tone quality, plus I hated the mouthpiece).......she lended it to me forcefully to try on all the horns I play which is a good idea.....too bad it werent a better mouthpiece. Anyway , when I got my 642S to try, It came with something better (cant remember what, Yamaha made) and WOW when I compared the mouthpieces, it was like night and day. Yes, the yamaha was a bit more difficult because of a deeper cup which im not used to but so what I got used to it in a small amount of time. Anyway what I just blabbed about can be summarized into "I agree".

So far ive tried a Besson 968 and the Yamaha YEP 642S, the Yamaha wins this battle, more horns comin woohoo!

you call yourself a tuba player? those horns aren't even shiny.you'll never make it

MikeMason frets if a tuba is not shiny. My 1940 King not only is not shiny but it looks like it's been in a car wreck. Since I'm one year younger than my tuba, I look like I've been in a car wreck too.

I think he... MikeMason... was being just little sarcastic.

All together:

"FREE THE ELEPHANT TEN!"

I once had a french horn player ask if my holton was "hand hammered".in absolute deadpan seriousness i replied"yes,it is." and it is.

MikeMason wrote:I once had a french horn player ask if my holton was "hammered"