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Playing a big tuba improves smaller tuba playing

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:05 am
by Wyvern
One thing I have noticed to my surprise since getting my Cerveny Kaiser BBb, which takes a huge amount of air and a lot of control, is that my 6/4 Neptune (which is all the same smaller bore) now seems noticeably easier to handle. I guess that the greater control and increased air required for the Kaiser is improving my technique and stamina!

This follows on to if I practice on my large contrabass tubas first in a practice session, a more difficult piece on bass tuba seems that much easier.

This is a tip I cannot remember reading on TubeNet, so just thought I would share my experience.

hmm...

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:03 pm
by jon112780
Another thing that *may* halp is to tape the spit valve open for a while. Then pull the tape off and 'feel' the difference. This does use more air, but it dosen't compare to whippin' out a much larger horn (if you have one just sittin' there).

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:21 pm
by eupher61
bloke wrote:I believe it could also be theorized that playing a big tuba will increase the decibel output of a big tuba geometrically.
does that mean square waves?

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:59 pm
by JCalkin
One of my teachers said he took a lesson w/ Sam Pilafian and said that he used to keep a dump truck sized BBb in his office just to warm up on, for this very reason.

I can't corroborate this story but thought I'd share it anyway.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:47 pm
by Tubaguy56
I've never heard of him doing that, but it is very possible if it were pre-breathing gym (two ways to get to the same place-one works better)