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I always have trouble figuring out how I want to carry my horn while on stage, in rehersal, or just going from one room to another. I know that safest way to move a horn is to put it back in the bag or case but most of the time that is just not practical. I somtimes carry my horn in my left hand gripping it around the top bow and somtimes I carry it with my thumb in the thumb ring and finger wrapped around the 1st valve tubing. I also like to carry it cradled in my left arm supporting the weight of the horn by the bell stack. I know this will vary from horn to horn depending on Ergonomics and tubing placement but I'm still curious. So, what's your method?

Cheap horns: 1 hand, relaxed
Expensive horns: two hands, defensive

My tuba's ride in style....

As 621 owners will tell you, it's a light horn, so I usually use my telekinesis to carry it around, but when the stiffs are nearby, I grip the top bow with my left hand like a monkey wrench.

I carry on and off stage upright (bell up) holding the top bow, usually with the valve section towards me. This is to minimise the chance of damage. Any people walking pass will generally only then brush the rim of the bell.

The same reason i use stand on stage

Looked after like that, my Neptune has (to date) NOT sustained any dents in 3 1/2 year playing

I bought an older, banged up horn in part because I don't have to worry much about scratches or dents. It's built like a tank, and makes a great battering ram and door opener. I just grab it by the upper bow and go.

The stage entrance for our community concert performances is on the side opposite where the tuba section sits, and the stage is crowded. I arrive early to set up before anyone else is there and I also use stands. To exit the stage I hoist my Bayreuth overhead, arms outstretched, and carry it out to my hard case in which it always travels.

carefully!!
I carry mine with my right hand, with my arm under the topbow and my hand over the lead pipe

The thumb ring is not a handle, and even if your hand is around the 1st valve tubing, it's still not intended to support the weight of the tuba. Grab onto something substantial, like the top bow...but...

...with that being said, I notice you have a Miraphone 188. I've always had the same problem as you with these tubas -- the wrap is so tight that you can't carry it by the top bow, and to hold it horizontally while holding the bell isn't easy either. What about carrying it horizontally, bell down, and valves in towards you (holding the body of the tuba next to the valve casings)? My former rotary tuba had enough room to comfortably grip and carry there.

tubatom91 wrote:I also like to carry it cradled in my left arm supporting the weight of the horn by the bell stack.

This has always been my favorite.

i pay someone to carry it for me.

I most always use a stand onstage.
I carry my bell front, top action Efer out in front of me where I can see all of the horn as I negotiate doorways to be sure no part of the tuba will hit the door or doorjamb.
Some may consider my 1940 King a beater but It is the best I've ever owned and I want no further damage.

I use Tenser's floating disc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYOsNp4O7AU

Like he does at the very end of the video, arm wrapped around the bell.

To clarify, I've never held the horn by the thumb ring, and never put any "real" strain on it, for fear of snapping it off. I do however hold the horn by the 1st valve tubing with my thumb in the ring, for stability. somtimes when I just move the horn a few feet I pick it up by the main tuning slide tubing area. I only grab it there because I learned that the bottom bow is too large for me to grab with my hand, I dropped it from about 1/2"-1" off the ground and almost had a stroke! (No Damage ). I have yet to find the 'ideal' carriage position, I have a little ding or scratch to remind me of the errors of my trial and error methods. I intend on having the dents and dings removed over spring break .

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