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I just got a recording of my last orchestra concert, on which we did Bernstein's West Side Story and Ellington's Night Creature. In one part of the 2nd movement, I know that I have a soli with the basses. I was listening to this recording, and could barely hear myself (5:22). If that is my volume with the rest of the group not playing, how would it be possible to keep up with the rest of the group? Is it possible that my tuba (CB50) is too small for a large orchestra (based on what you are hearing)?

http://tinyurl.com/cfkebp" target="_blank

Your tiny URL seems to be broken - you might try posting it again (or use the full URL.)

http://www1.pacific.edu/~nwaldvog/Ellington2.mp3
It's an mp3 on the prof's website, so hopefully this will work

Tuba Guy wrote:I just got a recording of my last orchestra concert, on which we did Bernstein's West Side Story and Ellington's Night Creature. In one part of the 2nd movement, I know that I have a soli with the basses. I was listening to this recording, and could barely hear myself (5:22). If that is my volume with the rest of the group not playing, how would it be possible to keep up with the rest of the group? Is it possible that my tuba (CB50) is too small for a large orchestra (based on what you are hearing)?

http://tinyurl.com/cfkebp" target="_blank" target="_blank

There are far too many variables for you to even think such a thing. Mic placement, the microphones themselves, where your bell is pointed, etc. Having played a CB50 and something similar to me, a Conn 56J, I can tell you that horn is not a small horn.

How big is the orchestra?

Also, could it be possible that YOUR output of sound is too small? I know no one wants to think that, but just throwing it out there to cover all of the bases that I know of.

TexTuba wrote:There are far too many variables for you to even think such a thing. Mic placement, the microphones themselves, where your bell is pointed, etc. Having played a CB50 and something similar to me, a Conn 56J, I can tell you that horn is not a small horn.

How big is the orchestra?

Also, could it be possible that YOUR output of sound is too small? I know no one wants to think that, but just throwing it out there to cover all of the bases that I know of.

It's not a small tuba, I agree, but it's definitely not big. When I borrowed my teacher's PT6, that was a largerish horn, and I felt that much more comfortable in orchestra. I have played my Martin (a 6/4 monster), and soundwise, I feel very comfortable with that instrument (though I don't use it because it doesn't slot as well as I would like, it's in BBb, and only has 3 valves).
The orchestra is probably around 70 or 80, I would think.
And I agree, it is quite possible that my output is too small. I have, however asked my teacher about this quite a few times, and he only suggests different articulations. I found that my sound is very nice and solid when I'm pumping the air through, but that only lets me get through about 2 or 3 beats (at an average speed) before having to take a big breath.
For the record, I am using a Curry 128D, if that would help anyone with any ideas.