Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:59 pm
Something may or may not be wrong with this picture. First, try it up an octave. Play open 2d ledger line C - bottom line G - 2nd space C to get your bearings. Then play bottom line G with 4 down. It should be the same as open. Then play 1st valve bottom of staff F. Then play bottom of the staff F T-4. It should be the same note. If it is not, then I'd look at mouthpiece, mouth cavity and physical intonation issues. Sometimes, particularly if you're playing or practicing in a small place, low notes can "fly off" and not intonate pitch properly, and you have to back up, think the big open throat and relaxed jaw, refocus a little softer but still good support and air flow, and get used to the intonation characteristics of your tuba in a different setting.
A lot of guys tune their thumb valve on the F this way an octave up, then pull just a little so it doesn't sound sharp on the lower octave. Others tune it completely differently. YMMV.
A lot of guys tune their thumb valve on the F this way an octave up, then pull just a little so it doesn't sound sharp on the lower octave. Others tune it completely differently. YMMV.