Conn 2/3J as a Main horn

[Davy]

So I'm looking to switch to a CC (yup, another one). I was thinking of getting a Conn 2J for my first CC tuba, but I don't know how it would work as an "all around" Tuba. Currently, I'm in the college setting, and it would be my only horn, so I would use it for Solos, Large Ensembles, and pry quintets as well. Anyone have experience using this in like Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band setting?

[Mcordon1]

Dave Hollenbeck is that you? haha

[jonesbrass]

I don't think a 2J or 3J would be bad for an all-around horn. I used a 2J in a large wind symphony, and didn't have any problems. A fifth valve would be nice, but it's not a necessity. A four-valve horn with a main tuning slide trigger could make it work almost as well as a 5-valve. You're not usually moving too fast in the low register, anyway. It really depends on you. Either of those two horns would work very well as a first CC. No need to spend ridiculous amounts of cash to buy the latest "in" horn, only to sell it 2 or 3 years later . . . YMMV.

[Matt G]

2J or 3J will be fine. Having played a few and having heard some fine players using them (and 5Js) in professional settings, I know they put out a good sound. In fact, this might be a better choice than what many undergraduates use, which is a 4/4 (becoming rare) or 5/4 (now popular) CC and then have to play solos on a large horn or borrowed F, which lends to difficulties. With all of the "tuba majors" in schools today, I'm surprised their isn't a bigger market for 3/4 CC tubas.

[Uncle Buck]

An admittedly biased response, but:

- I used one through all of my undergraduate playing, and it worked great for me.
- I believe at its price point, there is no better value for a 4-valve CC.
- I think your biggest question would be whether to buy at that price point, or keep saving and wait to buy something at a higher price point (like a used 186).

[pwhitaker]

I .... Don't have a teacher? Get one and then think about buying a tuba.

RC

Not every tubist's situation and playing circumstances requires a teacher's input.

[Matt G]

I tend towards a physical style of playing that, for me, the 2J/3J/5J series never responded to. In my hands, these tubas become lap mounted snarl machines.....

Quite a few of the fellows I have heard play these and myself when playing would be considered "physical" players. I think the secret (if it is a secret) to these horns is to play them like a regular (larger) tuba. The smaller German (often rotary) contrabass tubas take some re-thinking of the playing to get the most out of them. For players who are used to the way more "American" style contrabasses, the Conns take a very similar input from the player. That's kind of the beauty of them from my perspective. If you play a King 2341 (old or new), Holton 345, and Conn 2/3/5J, and any of their sousaphone cousins, they all have a very similar feel, given the air/chop fundamentals are solid.

The coolest thing about the 2Js I have played is that they are like playing in "Fast Forward". The horn feels the same as a bigger tuba, just "faster". Given that these horns are being traded for fairly low (same as I saw in the mid-1990s) prices, I would encourage many of the folks here to try one out. It makes a wonderful horn for a lot of playing venues, and is a horn that plays with remarkably good intonation when you set the horn up with the understanding of how the horn was built to play in tune.

Back to the quote, I think one other issue about the smaller Conns is that the sound as you hear it as a player is not what the audience hears. These will get a little "bright" at loud dynamics, but a lot of core and fundamental projects from these horns. When Wade says he can use this on "lighter fare" speaks to how well the horn works in solo situations. The sounds these horns make out front are much larger than what is visually expected.

[MartyNeilan]

I will have to disagree with the "physical player" comment. I know a mountain of a man who plays one in BBb, and everything above MF is a blatfest. Yes, in the hands of someone like Kyle Turner they sound great, but they still have their limitaitons. Too small for a large ensemble horn.

[jonesbrass]

. . . In fact, this might be a better choice than what many undergraduates use, which is a 4/4 (becoming rare) or 5/4 (now popular) CC and then have to play solos on a large horn or borrowed F, which lends to difficulties. With all of the "tuba majors" in schools today, I'm surprised their isn't a bigger market for 3/4 CC tubas.

Matt, I agree with you, but I'm not surprised. Every young player needs a gargantuan, expensive, "latest fad" CC, don't you know?

. . . Yes, in the hands of someone like Kyle Turner they sound great, but they still have their limitaitons. Too small for a large ensemble horn . . .

Every horn has it's limitations. I really believe this has far more to do with the capability of the operator and the environment they play in than the equipment. Not every band/orchestra's concept of forte or piano is the same, either. I rather like playing in ensembles on both ends of the spectrum. On one end is where "forte" means full and rich, and at the other is "as many decibels as you can muster". The player will have to judge whether the horn will work for him/her, no blanket statement is adequate.

[Mister JP]

It would appear that most agree that it would be great for solo/quintet/small ensemble play, so that's a plus. Since you will be more likely to be judged & evaluated as an individual player for the solos/quintet/small ensemble playing, it would make sense to play a horn that best suits that setting. In this case the 2J is a good choice.

And since we all know there is no such thing as "one perfect horn for EVERYTHING" you have to ask yourself is the apparent drawback of a small-ish CC in a large ensemble the place you want to have your 'shortcoming?' I'd say yes because in the large ensembles, you probably will not be the only tuba player. As long as there is at least one more player who does have the big horn (or 2 more small-ish ones like the 2J) you'd be fine. Remember, even for auditions into the large group, you're playing solo.

Think of the 80/20 rule. Will it be fine for 80% of the things you need it for? If so, then it's a good fit.