Leaning-tuba stand for playing

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:08 am

I'm play testing a Yamaha 321. I have to lean it to the right quite a bit to get at the mouthpiece, and I just don't have the physical strength to hold it up for any length of time. Weight lifting is not an option!

Is there a stand out there that has two supports, one for the bottom and one for the side? I found the Hercules stand but a search revealed opinions that this stand is only for display and not for actual playing. A friend has a similar issue with a Conn 2J, and we're both looking for this kind of stand.

Inventors out there?

MA

Lars Trawen · Post by **Lars Trawen** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:33 pm

Buy a vertical tuba stand or tubassistent.
They are both easily adjustable to fit yourself.
Best for your neck and biceps.
Good luck with your tuba.

corbasse · Post by **corbasse** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:12 pm

Hi MA,

I've got a 321 (BBb) too, since wednesday. I discovered that when you hold it almost vertical, bell pointing straight to the ceiling, it is quite well balanced. (My back is long enough to put it on my leg like that)
You could get by with using a regular tuba stand that way.

scottw · Post by **scottw** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:24 pm

You have 2 options, MaryAnn: You can have a good repairman lower the receiver so it fits your height, and then play it in a more balanced manner. Or, you can get a stand by, I believe, Wenger, called the TubaTamer which pulls up to your chair and you just play and use your left hand normally. This is the only playing support/holder I've seen.
Of the 2 options, I'd go for the lowering one as best in the long run--plus you don't have to lug it all around!

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:21 am

M.A., my research indicates the Tuba Tamer may be the stand that can best hold your tuba at an angle and take all the weight leaving you only to blow the thing. E-Bay Has some for cheap occasionally. The Hercules stand appears (haven't weighed one yet) to be too light and flimsy (like the price, though) to support your tuba safely when you walk away from it.
Glad to hear you making plans to continue on tuba. Happy tooting!

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:38 am

Hi Mary Ann,

Ignore this if I'm off course here, but it appears you are considering a top action valve tuba. So far as I know, the only 4v top-action BBb tubas marketed today are the Yamaha YBB-321 and the new MW 2011TA "Howard Johnson" tuba.

The new HOJO tuba is a small 4/4 top action horn. Reports from folks that have played one are very positive. It's also much smaller and lighter than the 321.

Right now, only Dillon Mujsic will be stocking this horn, The first production models are scheduled in "soon". On the Dillon site, there are video clips of Howard Johnson playing the tuba and clips of Gerhard Meinl and Steve Dillon discussing it. This tuba will also be made in front action and rotary valve model. The price seems very reasonable for a new tuba made by MW. Check it out.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:31 pm

MA,

Tried to PM you on this, but the message is stuck in my Outbox(?). I have a K&M stand you could borrow if it would help you in your evaluation.

Eric

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:08 pm

I finally understand the posts that assume the tuba is too tall. Since I've always rested the bottom bow on the chair, or even on my thigh with the tubas I own, I hadn't considered putting the bottom bow on a stand and simply moving the entire tuba to the right instead of tilting it to the right and keeping it more or less centered in front of me. I can easily check that option tonight, which would make it a lot easier to find a stand that works. I'll have to see if I can still reach the slides with my left hand though. Being tiny is not very tuba-friendly!

Thanks for the input. Oh BTW, maybe I have the numbers wrong, but this is a top-valve Eb tuba; I thought it was a 321 but maybe not. It has a dependent 5th valve in the 4th valve tubing.

MA

corbasse · Post by **corbasse** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:16 pm

MaryAnn wrote:..Since I've always rested the bottom bow on the chair, or even on my thigh with the tubas I own, I hadn't considered putting the bottom bow on a stand and simply moving the entire tuba to the right instead of tilting it....
MA

That's exactly what I do, only I set it on my right leg instead of a stand. My back is rather long

pwhitaker · Post by **pwhitaker** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:20 am

I have the same Yamaha and had to quit using it in public a few years ago because of an intention tremor in my right arm. Recently I resurrected an old tuba stand I used with a monster BB Besson many many years ago. This stand just supports the bottom of the horn and thus avoids the necessity of resting it on the chair or your lap. I am very large - almost obscenely so - so this may not work for you, but just resting the top action horn on that stand with its level the same as my lap has allowed me to play the Yamaha very comfortably with virtually no Parkinson-like shaking - (it's fun being 65.)

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:18 am

Ok, results, for those of you who are still reading.

The leadpipe is a few inches too low, not too high. And....if I want to see the music I have to tilt the tuba.

I was hoping to use an Eb tuba in quintet, but the complex fingerings for low A and low G, make me think maybe not. Those notes show up a lot, and sure are easier on a CC. But the Eb has this very accessible high range. Phooey.

This one has a dependent 5th valve that is a flat half step (integrated into the 4th valve tubing.) You operate it with your left thumb, or your right thumb if you can take the long throw. It also has long throw valves that are wide-set, and I suspect my hand and arm would become recalcitrant with constant use.

Any suggestions of better ergonomic Eb tubas? I've always played rotaries because of the long-throw piston problem, but rotaries are also tough in the low range, unless someone has fixed that by now. I played a Willson Eb up at WWBW but found the sound rather light, surprisingly so, much lighter than this 321. I tried the Besson 3+1 comp and liked the sound but literally could not reach the 4th valve.

MA

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:28 am

And this is a ?

Although it certainly looks like it has the same 4th valve reach problem that I encountered on the Besson.

MA

Tom Holtz · Post by **Tom Holtz** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:14 pm

MaryAnn wrote:Any suggestions of better ergonomic Eb tubas?

Love my Besson 983. It rides a little low when I've got it in my lap, so I usually put it on a Baltimore Brass tuba stand to stay comfy. Very happy.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:48 pm

Have you thought of having a tuba customized to fit you? It might be something to consider. Find a tuba that you really like as far as the sound goes, then have a talk with Dan Oberloh, Matt Walters, etc. and see if something could be done to fit the valves to your hands.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:48 pm

Hey, with my 4th finger being short, I've done that: three valves where I can get to them and still rest my elbow, and a perfectly customized receiver at just the right height and angle to my slight overbite, curtesy of a short 2X4 and a good rap with a hammer under the brace. Ahhh, nothing like good tailoring!

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:53 pm

Scooby Tuba wrote:

Anyone tried this? I'm really intrigued by it....

TubeNet

Leaning-tuba stand for playing

Leaning-tuba stand for playing

5 valve Eflat Yamaha - tuba stand