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Hello fellow tuba players
I am currently stationed in Yokosuka Japan playing with the seventh fleet navy band. I have been in the band for year and when I go on tour for three months I play alot of sousaphone. I wanted to bring a tuba on tour with me but the rock band that I am performing with said no do to space issues. I have been on tour for around 2 months and I haven't touched a tuba at all. All I play is sousaphone and I hate sousaphone. I am looking for a cheap 3/4 tuba bbflat or CC to practice with when I am on tour. I was thinking maybe getting a yamaha YBB 103. The 3/4 student model. But then I came across this website. http://www.bigbottommusicnw.com" target="_blank" target="_blank
If you go to the mini tuba/traveling tuba link you will see a mini BBb/CC tuba for only $700.00 Has anyone had any experience with these horns or have any suggestions?
Thank you for your time.
Zach

The Bb mini is really a euphonium. Don't have any experience with the F.

I see some impractical aspects of sousaphone bulkiness. Hoewer I totally fail in seeing any supreme playing aspects of a small 3-valve Yamaha tuba over any sousaphone good enough for a professional military band.

You maybe could use the old trick of practicing the sousaphone without the bell. Gives an approximate pitch of CC. Valve slides will be a bit too long. And there still only will be 3 valves.

There also is the option of working on extended techniques like the fake notes in the low range. Or full range smooth lip glissandos.

Just to make the best of the given situation.
m
Klaus

HI-
Yes, the Bb/C tuba you described is a tenor tuba/euphonium--the F is a travel/micro tuba. Both made in the Far East. I should have my Bb tenor tuba in about 2 weeks, and my F micro travel in about a month--I can tell you then how they play. Hope that helps.
Regards-
mark

Have you seen this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-YBB-103-BBb- ... 3cb995e4ff" target="_blank
Also, would they let you play a tuba with a strap?

imperialbari wrote:<snip> You maybe could use the old trick of practicing the sousaphone without the bell. Gives an approximate pitch of CC. Valve slides will be a bit too long. And there still only will be 3 valves. <snip>
Klaus

This reminds me of the story that Pat Sheridan tells about when he was in H.S... (or maybe Jr. High). He couldn't get the whole Sousy in the trunk of his mom's car, so took the horn home without the bell. He says he learned to practice a 'B' natural sousy.

Thank you for the reply
Maybe I wasnt clear and I apologize if I wasnt. I don't plan on playing the small tuba in my navy band. I only plan on using it to practice with when I am at a hotel, or on a ship in the middle of a ocean. I really miss playing tuba and my sousaphone is a out of tune piece of ****.
Please keep the advice comming
Zach

If so, my take might be a different one, which might even accomodate navy desires of less bulkiness.

I only have tried the old King 2341 (with a bell front) once, but I certainly liked it. Might be the solution making everybody happy.

Klaus

"I only have tried the old King 2341 (with a bell front) once, but I certainly liked it. Might be the solution making everybody happy."

Klaus

I wish that was the solution but the military hasn't used bell front tubas in a long time. I don't think they are just going to drop the sousaphone and start using bell front tubas again. I appreciate the advice though.
Zach

This would look ideal, but maybe too expensive?
http://cgi.ebay.com/German-tuba-B-flat- ... 878wt_1133

If you are prepared to play an F, the Huashen mini tuba would do the job well much cheaper

I think not many (any?) people on the board who are not also selling them have tried them yet. I have ordered one (from Al, the dealer whose site you found it on) and I know that one or two others have as well. Unwise, not having played it first? Maybe. We'll see. But my use for it is like yours, and for this use and at this price it doesn't have to be all that good, so I didn't feel a need to try it. I don't expect ever to play it in public, but rather mainly in hotel rooms.

Nevertheless I do take the reviews that have been posted at face value and expect to be satisfied with it, in light of my reason for buying it.

Around the first of August a few people who aren't dealers will be able to say more.