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I am going to be studying music in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria for the next two months and will have the privilege of taking lessons with Michael Pircher of the Tonkunstler Orchestra. Only problem is, I don't have a tuba!

My college is more than willing to cover the costs of rental/borrowing in Vienna, it's just a question of finding the horn. I'm looking for a nice, preferably German, BB-flat to use. Anyone more familiar with the city know who to ask or where to look?

Just so you know, Mr. Pircher has agreed to let me use his MW-195 in lessons until I can get my hands on my own horn. No rush... (although it would be great to have my own horn to practice on!)

Thanks,
Paul

I wanted to preface my advice with this: Your post states that you are studying 'music' in Vienna and not specifically tuba. If tuba is a secondary interest this advice would not apply.

I think it would be worth the expense to ship your own instrument to Austria for lessons. I cannot imagine having the ability to study with the tubist for a European orchestra and not take advantage of the the opportunities and connections that could result. It would seem to me that you would want to make your best impression with an opportunity like this.

I have observed that renting a tuba anywhere is difficult, expensive and the results are less than you want.

Alex C wrote:I think it would be worth the expense to ship your own instrument to Austria for lessons. I cannot imagine having the ability to study with the tubist for a European orchestra and not take advantage of the the opportunities and connections that could result. It would seem to me that you would want to make your best impression with an opportunity like this.

Unfortunately, I do not own my own horn. And I am not studying Tuba performance, specifically, but actually music (will be taking classes in music history, performance, and attending many performances). I might find my dream horn in Austria and finally take the dive into ownership, but I just don't know where to look. Any thoughts?

I don't know if this is still available in Austria but a friend of mine used to buy the most amazing instruments in the equivalent of pawn shops there. Of course, he lived there for 25 years and sang in the Staatsoper, so he had a lot of pull anywhere he went.

Make the best preperations you can before you go - is all I know to say. You'll be too busy once you get to Vienna.

I am jealous. Make the most of your experience.

Don't forget that Bavaria is just across the border from Austria to Germany.
There you can find the factory of Melton/Meinl Weston http://www.melton.de/.
The shop of Robert Tucci http://www.hornboerse.de/cgi-bin/shop/l ... 31303&ls=e.
The shop of Thomann http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html
I'm sure they can supply you with any kind of wished instrument.
Thomann is known to being the cheapest.
Good luck,
Lars

You could try this shop in Austria http://www.eng.musikhaus.auf.co.at/

Although their webpage only shows Cerveny, they had a Melton Fafner and B&S GR-51 BBb in stock when I visited

Years ago a retailer member of TN told how risky it was alone stocking tubas for display in his own store: dent magnets was the term he used. Compare that to the risks of renting instruments to students. One shall be very sure about having a market for demo instruments, if one at all enters this kind of business.

Might sound discouraging for the OP, but there might be another option to look for. Try finding a local band with a relevant BBb sitting unused for the given period of time. And then of course take part in their rehearsals and concerts.

Klaus

Thank you all for your advice, I will look into all of these options!

Paul

Viel Spass in Wien!

I am studying in Vienna currently. It is a great city!

Rochester2013 wrote:I am studying in Vienna currently. It is a great city!

Ah! That's awesome! If you don't mind me asking, who are you studying with?

Finkpaul wrote:

Rochester2013 wrote:I am studying in Vienna currently. It is a great city!

Ah! That's awesome! If you don't mind me asking, who are you studying with?

Just saw this now. I didn't study tuba there, I studied European culture and Deutsch. I hope it is all you expected it to be. Make sure you take a nice day trip to the Zentralfriedhof (the Schnellbahn 7- or at least I think that's the number, same one that takes you to the airport from Wien Mitte-can take you there), klosterneuburg is a must see. Travel to Bratislava, Slovakia while you are there, 14Euros round trip from Wien Sudbahnhof (or at least while I was there this is where the Bahn departed, they were rebuilding it).

If you are still there send me a message if you want. So many more suggestions I could give! Best times of my life were in that city!