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I have just recently purchased my first horn, a Mirafone 186 5v CC, after playing on BB flat tuba's for over ten years. Although my sound is improving quickly, I am having trouble breaking old fingering habits. Any suggestions?

That Bb-to-C fingering issue is something that really wasn't a big issue with me. I guess I got through it by just playing the horn a lot. Play easy melodies on the C that you haven't played on the Bb. I was playing in an orchestra at the time I got my C tuba, so just reading and practicing these new-to-me orchestra charts was probably very beneficial to me. Any traces of Bb fingerings were well-eradicated after three-or-four weeks.

Sightread lots of stuff. It'll get easier and easier.

As said, sight reading new material to get you thinking in the new key.

When I switched horns I also played a lot of things I have played on the other key. This forces you to mentally work and create new sight-finger reflexes. I also do this on F tuba a lot to keep keys fresh.

Kory101 wrote:Sightread lots of stuff. It'll get easier and easier.

I did the opposite. I read stuff I knew pretty well on BBb. My ear knew the tunes and that took out one less variable to contend with.

WoodSheddin wrote:

Kory101 wrote:Sightread lots of stuff. It'll get easier and easier.

I did the opposite. I read stuff I knew pretty well on BBb. My ear knew the tunes and that took out one less variable to contend with.

Also an excellent idea. He's not the board Admin for nothing!

I also work at playing music I already know to learn tuba in new key. That way you know if you've got the fingering right. Keep working at it as advised above and don't get too worried when you make a mistake - that is all part of the learning process.

In my experience it will probably be 6 months before you feel entirely confident sight reading in the new key (although if you are young, probably quicker!)

I know guys that use different methods. Some say the names of the notes to themselves and think trumpet fingerings (if they know them). Some just start out transposing. The way I did it was start from scratch. I read the fingerings off the chart without playing. I guess I just reprogrammed by brain. When I picked up the horn it just flowed. Also, when I switched to CC I also went from pistons to rotors which was also a different feel (13 yrs later I've finally come back from the dark side). You would think after the "reprogram" I couldn't play BBb anymore but actually when I pick up a BBb it just came back. You just have to find your own method.

I simply sight-read materials in all keys on a very long flight, ghosting the fingerings. That was when I added CC to Eb. Also, BBb fingerings from over 40 years ago mysteriously continue to jump directly from unknown neurons to my fingers.

I also recommend thinking through the fingerings, knowing the steps that each valve lowers notes. Also, work through scales in common keys.

Keep the BBb fingerings (mentally) handy for sousaphone work.

WoodSheddin wrote:

Kory101 wrote:Sightread lots of stuff. It'll get easier and easier.

I did the opposite. I read stuff I knew pretty well on BBb. My ear knew the tunes and that took out one less variable to contend with.

+1

I did the exact same thing. Anytime you have available, grab some music and start trying to finger the notes for CC tuba. Play familiar scales with the sheet music (or without if you already established the fingerings), because it gives you something visual, aural, and aesthetic.

Just my .02

Kory101 wrote:Also an excellent idea. He's not the board Admin for nothing!

Actually, he's the board admin because he started the whole thing. That's it.....

The worst thing ( at least for me) when switching from CC to Bb or vice versa is to start the phrases after long resting bars... If I loose the concentration the attack is the most dangerous moment, specially if I have to start with a long tone, then once started it goes rather automatically..

gionvil wrote:The worst thing ( at least for me) when switching from CC to Bb or vice versa is to start the phrases after long resting bars... If I loose the concentration the attack is the most dangerous moment, specially if I have to start with a long tone, then once started it goes rather automatically..

It's not really the worse thing if you're playing Persichetti...

TexTuba wrote:

Kory101 wrote:Also an excellent idea. He's not the board Admin for nothing!

Actually, he's the board admin because he started the whole thing. That's it.....

That's pretty much the truth. I didn't audition for the spot. I just happen to install the software 15 years ago.