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Hi:

I think I've been spinning my wheels long enough. The thing with the band director didn't work out (he's having some health problems) so I need a real tuba teacher.

Again, I'm a trumpet guy who wants to learn the tuba. I want to play folk songs, marches, ballads and stuff. I don't want to rule the world but I do want a nice tone. Dan Oberloh confirmed to me that my little King is just fine by playing it with a wonderful tone for about 15 minutes. He played some snippets of a few lyrical folk songs with such a pleasing tone. I want to do that, too.

So....

Can anyone recommend a tuba teacher for an adult beginner in the Seattle, WA area? I live in Port Townsend, which is two hours from Seattle so it would be best if I could get a Saturday lesson. Places like Tacoma, Bremerton and Kent would be fine also. A teacher in Port Townsend who would take a beginner would be the best!

PM or in the group would be fine.

Jeff "Lips too uptight to play the tuba right now" Benedict

Just a short ferry ride away is Gene Dowling in Victoria. I don't know if he takes beginning students, but... he is Gene Dowling.

Tacoma may be too far, but there are several good tuba teachers including Paul Evans (Tacoma Symphony), Ed Phillips (Bellevue Philharmonic) and Ivan Giddings (the mouthpieces). Paul and Ivan both post on Tubenet.

In Seattle and on the Eastside are Ryan Schultz (PNB Orchestra), Kevin Pih (Everett Symphony) and Kadie Nichols (PNB Orchestra). Ryan and Kevin post on Tubenet.

Chris Olka (Seattle Symphpony) is probably too busy; but you might contact him to see if one of his UW students gives lessons. Chris also posts on Tubenet.

Cathy Cole was my teacher growing up. I saw her in her home in Redmond, WA. She has an amazing track record with the accomplishments of her students!!

If you are somewhat flexible with scheduling, I'd be happy to fly out to Jefferson County Airport and work with you. It's only a 30 minute flight from Renton Municipal. I haven't taught private lessons in the last 6 years, but would be happy to give it go. I'll be out of town through the weekend - teaching at Redwing College in Minnesota. Contact me when I get back if you are interested.

Daryl

...and obviously no charge for the flight - unless of course you also want a lesson in a 1947 taildragger.

Thanks all for the generous offers. I'm in contact with a couple of people and trying to work some things out. One teacher is in Woodinville and one is in Tacoma.

Jeff

Port Angeles has a symphony orchestra. Perhaps there is a tubist attached? That would certainly be your closest option.

When I was in high school, I was looking for a good tuba teacher. This was back in the days when Roger Bobo and Tommy Johnson had their close ties to Mirafone--and Mirafone rented out a building at 8484 San Fernando Road in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Sun Valley. Mirafone gave me both men's home addresses and phone numbers. Roger Bobo responded first and said he was too busy. But Tommy Johnson called me a couple of days later and asked me when I wanted to start with him. He lived in Chatsworth, over 100 miles from my house (but still in the Los Angeles city limits). I went every other week during the summer of 1973, except during the time my high school band was touring Europe. When school was back in session, Tommy suggested I get in touch with Jim Self, who was my teacher for many years.

Just contact these guys.

LoyalTubist wrote: When school was back in session, Tommy suggested I get in touch with Jim Self, who was my teacher for many years.

Just contact these guys.

Unfortunately, Tommy's dead.... I could always call Jim, though... Do you think he would come to my house?

I meant to call the guys in Washington. No, he won't come. He didn't come to my house, either. When I first studied with him, he was in South Pasadena, then he moved to his present house in Hollywood. I lived in Colton and Rialto, which are near San Bernardino, and Riverside--due south of San Bernardino, about an hour from South Pas and Hollywood. It was well worth the drive.