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any suggestions for a neophte tuba player who has not played in 40+ yrs and wishes to experience the joy of playing again? just purchased a new cerveny 686 ,very excited. any books or dvd's? thanks jds

Last year I start playing again after a 20 year break.
Look into http://www.smartmusic.com it allows you to listen to and play along with 100's of titles. Sort of like "music minus one" but with a lot of extra features, tuner, change tempo, etc..

Get a teacher.
Post your location so people on this board might send you to teacher's, festivals, community bands, etc.

I started over about year ago. I like the Essential Elements series of instruction books, because the cd\dvd features an actual tuba. I've bought several mouthpieces and found they do make a difference. I like the Yamaha signature series, especially the Bobo solo on my CC tuba; the Jim Self mouthpiece seems perfect with my Jupiter 582. My experience with tubas on Ebay have all been good. The 1911 J.W. York & Sons I bought for a pittance played very well (I gave it to a student). Likewise, the no-name Chinese tuba I started with, a Yamaha copy, played exceptionally well for the $400 I paid for it; I sold it and now sometimes wish I'd kept it - using a strap it was easy to transport on my back when riding a motorcycle; I think it's good to have one instrument you can bang around a little. Shopping for a new tuba has been an adventure. Most shops here in Ca don't carry tubas because of the expense in maintaining an inventory. The shops that do were all great to deal with and allowed you to try out the instruments. In Ca at least, bring your own mouthpiece to test play; this seems to vary by store.

I've enjoyed attending many community concerts. I joined a community band and have enjoyed the challenge. I've had to put down the euphonium, although I still enjoy playing it, because when I play euphonium and then switch to tuba I get confused about what octave I'm playing in. Similarly, I gave the York Eb to a student friend, deciding to stick with CC and Bb and avoiding confusion about fingerings.

If you are looking to buy a tuba try and play as many as you can. I've been surprised by the differences. Some seem stuffy, others free blowing, and some (many) 3/4 tubas were very difficult, if not impossible, on the low notes. Be sure and check out videos on Youtube, because there are many excellent tuba and euphonium ones. Hope that helps...
-hald

Neophyte or just haven't played for a long time?
Suggestions: Get out the old method book or buy a starter book like Rubank. Get a teacher (or, if you prefer, a coach) . . . retired high school music teachers are good for early stages. Depending on your status, look up a New Horizons or local community band (The NH bands often feature instruction.). Advertise for instructor or companion in community newsletters, church bulletin boards, etc.

After a 10 year break, i know the feeling of starting over.
i would start with simple music such as the Arban First Studies. spend some time buzzing on the mouthpiece using a piano as a pitch reference. also work on your breathing. and definately get a teacher.

dont expect things to roll over night. it is going to take sometime. i am going through the process right now. it is been 9 months. but the first two months were very difficult. one thing that my teacher recommended me is to practice every day.

Just like when we first started in school: long tones, scales, lip slurs, a few technical exercises, and work up from there.

Arbans....having picked up ( sounds like an addiction doesn't it ?) 9 months ago after 30 yrs off, Tyrell, Blasevich , Rubank etc...all good, but what has really brought the chops back is the Arbans - do the basics, set a good solid foundation , excercises, long tones, slurs...repeat....find group (s) that will welcome you and play as much as possible...most important , HAVE FUN !!! also , Harvey Phillips Art of Tuba and Euphonium will help put the history and significance of the tuba into perspective and offers plenty of great tips...js

Another vote for the Rubank Advanced Method. I love the fact it's a mini-lesson if you follow each of the prescribed units in the front of the book: scales, articulation, melodic etudes, etc. I've been working on Volume 1 for a few years now, should crack Volume 2 soon. This is of course in addition to Arban, etc.

You might also check out the Hal Leonard Advanced Band Method for Basses (Tuba) which has some Arnold Jacobs material in it. I bought it, but haven't done much with it yet. See this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29192

Eric "who came back to playing about six years ago after a 17 year hiatus" L.

When I came back to tuba, I also dug out my old Rubank Advanced. No, it's not the most glamorous of method books. But it is diverse, well-rounded and comprehensive. If the goal is community band and other fun gigs, by the time you are able to play everything in the Rubank book, you can play anything that any community band can throw at you.

May I strongly suggest getting Dave Zerkel's
Tuba Helper cd.
All selections feature the glorious sound of the
contrabass tuba.

There are at least two threads about this recording at this site. I just don't know how to link them.

I left playing at the college Symphonic band level in 1977. I too, am 'starting' again. I joined a community band and jumped in feet first. Being with other musicians of all levels will get you and KEEP you motivated even more. Books listed so far are very good- I have the Leonard Advanded, with the Jacobs 'Special Studies'. AND so that I can avoid re-learning all the little things I shouldn't be doing (again), other text material includes Harvey Phillips 'Art of the Tuba and Euphonium, 'The Tuba Handbook', by J. Kent Mason, and download the Arnold Jacobs Masterclass here on tubenet.
And for those that have not ordered the Roger Bobo MasterClass DVD- DO SO! I watched the first two chapters and it is excellent- thanks to Brian and Windsong!! Other people in your local band can steer you to someone to help with lessons- don't be shy- HAVE FUN!!!

I only took 25 years off, and have been back now for 11.

a) Rubanks. All three. Start with Elementary. There are two cases: you don't need it, in which case you will waste a few dollars and a couple of hours....or...you do need it. I recommend Rubanks over Arban (which you *will* purchase....later) because Arban really needs a teacher to guide you, whereas it's *possible* to make significant progress with *only* Rubanks.

b) as soon as you can "pass off" Rubanks Elementary - FIND AN ENSEMBLE TO PLAY WITH. Even if you feel you can't keep up - develop the skill of "doing no harm". Perversely, the better the Community Band you play with, the easier it is for the tuba player to "fake it" by doing a good job of counting until you see a whole note. TubaChristmas is fun - but a "once-a-week" rehearsal will pull you along faster than anything else.

c) a teacher would be nice, but note that it's 3rd on my list.

d) stick with one tuba, one mouthpiece, one valve oil until you are no longer the worst player in your main ensemble. Then, go crazy on all these things, just like the rest of us. At this point, you can purchase all the other books, etudes, studies, methods, etc. and build a really nice looking bookshelf.

e) every day, play something "by ear". Even if it's just "Taps" (don't forget to crack that one note - if you've been away for 40 years, you are old enough to know which note I mean). Play anything that you know that's not written down. Then, play it in a different key.

I also have 'The William Bell Tuba Solo Collection', that comes with a CD (piano accompaniment), and 'Foundation to Tuba and Sousaphone Playing' also by Bell. They are earlier and standard / traditional pieces! The #'s are:
ISBN 0-8258-6821-1, and ISBN 0-8258-0785-9. Try Amazon and enter these #'s to get you going and Have Fun!