TubeNet

Okay... so I was asked to give advice on playing with a bigger, fuller sound; all I could think of was doing breathing exercises.
Anyone know of good exercises to help create a fuller sound that produces more volume?

Try some of the stuff in the Breathing Gym book

Get a copy of Arnold Jacob's Song and Wind.

http://www.windsongpress.com/books/song ... 20wind.htm

Try doing a lot of singing and imitation. Experiment with sound. Find what you are looking for. Less tension is the key. Use the least amount of energy to produce the largest sound. The whole hot potato in the throat works too. But stay RELAXED! I also learned a good technique from Jens Bjørn-Larsen, he had us playing RIDICULOUSLY loud. You can hear very clearly when playing loud if the tone was centered or not. When it IS centered, it's a GIANT sound...but that only comes when you are relaxed. Try it out.

which lip is "doing the work". I find that most people who have difficulty getting a full, rich sound are buzzing the lower lip instead of the upper in general. If this is the case, look no further.

Roger

Playing is an aerobic activity, so a person needs to be in good physical shape to maximize their sound and volume potential.

Engaging in aerobic exercise of some sort for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, will not only make getting a good, full sound easier, but will help one have the endurance for long rehearsals, long practice sessions, and not crash in the latter part of a recital.

The combination of practice and physical exercise can be a potent one, enabling a player to make a lot of progress in a relatively short period of time. I think that the enhanced oxygen uptake helps one be more relaxed when playing, which is really miportant. And, a good exercise session, even if only taking a walk, is a good way to clear one's mind and come back to the music stand refreshed.

Lots of good advice here about the physical aspect of playing. One thing that also might help, especially for younger players, is to listen to as many pros as you can to develop an ear for a "fuller sound." Eventually, this mental "picture" will help solidify and develop your own personal concept of what a tuba can/should sound like. Bottom line, to me, knowing exactly what you want to sound like (having a goal to aim for) is half the battle.