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Hello! I am David! I am a student of Gail Robertson at UCF and I play on a Hans Mueller 780z on a normal PT- 50 mouthpiece. Right now I am having an issue with pitch with the horn. For example, my Bb is constatly 20 cents flat and I have to lip it so much that I get a really bad tone but for other notes i am fine. And my tuning slide is all the way in. This is the same issue for 3rd space E natural and C below the staff. I was wondering if anyone that has this horn has the same issue and I am also wondering if its a mouthpiece problem or that the horn needs some modifications. Thank you so much!

Did you ask your teacher about this? They would be in a much better position to help solve this problem than would the TNFJ. There may be problems inherent in your make and model horn [one I've never heard of, to be honest! For what that's worth!] that some of the posters here could help with, but only by listening and hands-on experimenting can you really get a solution.

scottw wrote:Did you ask your teacher about this? They would be in a much better position to help solve this problem than would the TNFJ. There may be problems inherent in your make and model horn [one I've never heard of, to be honest! For what that's worth!] that some of the posters here could help with, but only by listening and hands-on experimenting can you really get a solution.

She was the one who asked me to post this cuz we started to notice this recently. But thanks for the suggestion.

Is it a CC tuba or a BBb tuba? If it's a CC, then third space E is going to be a flat note (it's the 5th partial which is flat for everyone because of the harmonic series). Try playing it 1 and 2, or even 3rd, instead of open. If it's a BBb horn, you're kind of out of luck in terms of alternate fingerings. As far as the Bb and C below the staff, you may have an equipment problem, i.e. the horn, or you may have an air problem (blowing too slow, but I'm sure Gail has talked to you about this possibility already).

Hope this helps.

P.S. I also play on a PT-50 and have found it to be a wonderful mouthpiece in most instances. It probably isn't the mp, but I agree with the above suggestion to separate the horn from the mp and vice a versa.

[quote="tntuba"]Is it a CC tuba or a BBb tuba? If it's a CC, then third space E is going to be a flat note (it's the 5th partial which is flat for everyone because of the harmonic series). Try playing it 1 and 2, or even 3rd, instead of open. If it's a BBb horn, you're kind of out of luck in terms of alternate fingerings.

Well, if the 5th partial is flat and he has a BBb---wouldn't the same information you just gave him hold true for the 3rd line "D"? That's the same partial and fingering as your example on "CC". Even a very well-in-tune 186 BBb that I play needs 1-2 fingering instead of open. My Eb below the staff needs a short pull--these are just horn idiosyncrasies that you have to deal with. However, if as some have pointed out, there is a leak or 3, then you need a good tech to help out. Take Bloke up on his very generous offer!

If your issues weren’t there, or weren’t so bad, when you acquired the instrument, then they have been introduced by recent factors.

You may be within a less happy embouchure period due to lip bruising or due to neglected basic. That is for your teacher to tell solutions there.

Or the oscillating air column of your instrument has become obstructed. The cause may be an object having fallen into your bell. Or, sad to say so, I have seen many mouthpieces with a lot of build up in the backbore. Also in cases where the players put a major effort on their personal appearance.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

To answer a few questions, yes it is a CC tuba and yes I am using 1 and 2 combination for the third space E natunal which is a bit flat and I just remembered that third space Eb (which i use 2nd valve) is also flat and playing 2-3 its even flatter. I dont think theres no obstruction in the horn because I would hear it and feel it. theres no leaks in the horn, and yes I have improved a lot with my embouchure in the past 3 years (i have been playing in this horn for almost 3 years now.) and i keep my mouthpiece clean. i clean it at least twice a week (usually more). it could be an air issue but I dont think so because I have been trained very well with the air thing. but yes i will try different mouthpieces on my horn and try mine in another one. thanks for the suggestions but the more suggestions i get the better! Thank you everyone

David, if your still on, what Mouthpieces do you want to try?
Here's a list of what I have.

Laskey 30H-euro shank
Laskey 30H-standard shank
Laskey 30G- standard shank
Miraphone C4
Schilke 66
G&W Churada (I know that it is intended to be a bass tuba mp)
Conn Helleberg 120S

Is your mouthpiece a PT 50 or a PT 50+. That is a big mouthpiece. I have never heard of your make of horn, is it a big or small horn. If it is any smaller than a 5/4, then the PT 50 could be making your horn go flat, as I have experienced and in the higher range those larger mouthpieces just don't slot as well in my opinion.

I find that medium size mouthpieces work the best up high and down low, go figure

musicalcunnings wrote:Is your mouthpiece a PT 50 or a PT 50+. That is a big mouthpiece. I have never heard of your make of horn, is it a big or small horn. If it is any smaller than a 5/4, then the PT 50 could be making your horn go flat, as I have experienced and in the higher range those larger mouthpieces just don't slot as well in my opinion.

I find that medium size mouthpieces work the best up high and down low, go figure

Its a PT-50. hmm... now that u mention this... i think i really need a new mouthpiece. thanks for the info. but i will test everything everyone has given me for suggestions.

Greg wrote:Does this instrument play flat when someone else is playing?

When I first got the horn, Jay Hunsberger, USF Tuba/Euph professor, played it and said it was a great horn and so did one of the tuba players of Brass Band of Central Florida, Bob Tucker.

David, Please answer my post. I really don't want to schlep a crap load of mouthpieces out to campus tomorrow.

Blake Dowling wrote:David, if your still on, what Mouthpieces do you want to try?
Here's a list of what I have.

Laskey 30H-euro shank
Laskey 30H-standard shank
Laskey 30G- standard shank
Miraphone C4
Schilke 66
G&W Churada (I know that it is intended to be a bass tuba mp)
Conn Helleberg 120S

The Laskey 30H- Euro shank and standard, Schilke 66. we can try those first and then see some later k?

I would probably recommend that you go with the C4 as a possibility. All these mouthpieces are deep funnels. German horns tend to prefer a shallower bowl shaped mouthpiece for best results. A big deep funnel such as the PT50 will tend to make the upper register on many horns go flat, and above the high C things will be interestingly challenging. Other notes may become issues as well.

The C4 because of its shape and the different pressure inside the mouthpiece created by the bowl shape, will speed the air up a bit going into the horn and should bring some of these notes back to where they belong.

Of course, I could be full of $... not having seen or heard you play.

Roger