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Hi everybody, this is a totally hypothetical question. If I had a 6/4 tuba, and a nice mute, would this work in a small ensemble situation? I hear a lot of times people don't use these tubas often because they have such large sounds. I was only wondering if a mute would take out some of the hugeness and make it more controllable in say a quintet. Thoughts on this matter please?

This is an interesting thought, it might work in a real pinch, but I believe this is a less than optimal solution. Reason 1 being the difference in tone quality resulting from using a muted horn. Reason number 2 being the intonation challenges that frequently result from mute usage. YMMV.

Nice mute? That sounds like an oxymoron to me!

You will get a somewhat smaller sound, but the great sound of a real tuba is changed to this pinched, nasal thing. Intonation can be quite an adventure; I've had to use weird fingerings and slide pulls.

Another thing: Small ensemble music frequently requires all the instruments to be nimble. A 6/4 tuba is a big guy and won't get around as fast, no matter what you stuff into the bell.

If you want to use a big tuba for all your playing, why not just use a small and shallow mouthpiece for the small ensemble work? Your sound will be brighter, and your instrument should respond more quickly than with a big mouthpiece.

Cheers,
Allen

As recently discussed in another post, 6/4 tuba does not equal loud but rather a wide broad full sound. A mute does not really equal a quieter sound (just like a mute in a trumpet doesn't make it quieter but changes the tonal color.)

A 6/4 contrabass can be tamed and used in a small ensemble. Of course, it'll take some great care and nimbleness.

Of course, if you're thinking hypothetically, this would suppose that the player has a 6/4 contrabass and doesn't have a 4/4 horn or an Eb or F horn. Chances are, the 6/4 owner would have a smaller horn to use as well.

The real point? Don't use a mute as a tool to get quieter. Just don't do it....

but the great sound of a real tuba is changed to this pinched, nasal thing.

This is exactly it......

KiltieTuba wrote:For one that actually has a rather large horn and plays in quintets and quartets, it does take some getting used to blending with everyone. Plus I dont have a smaller tuba, so i have to take the utmost care in making it sound like a smaller horn. Hypothetically speaking you should just give it a try with the 6/4.

Using a different mouthpiece will help as well....as long as we're getting into hypothetical.

The purpose of a mute is to change tone, not to make quieter. And a 6/4 tuba provides a broader and richer sound - not necessarily a louder sound. I would also suggest using a shallow cup mouthpiece in small ensemble and just practice your control of the tuba.

Jonathan "who thinks his Haag Eb is actually louder than his Neptune"

Thanks for the input. I was just curious about this matter and wondered why nobody did it. Now I know. Thanks! =]

Neptune wrote:Jonathan "who thinks his Haag Eb is actually louder than his Neptune"

Loud small horn is MUCH more annoying than a broad large horn