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Hello everybody,

I'm new to Tubenet and I have a question that I was hoping i could get some advice on. I've been playing tuba for about 6 years now, and I've recently made the switch to a CC tuba, specifically, an HB-21. It plays beautifully, even and smooth. However, when I play down past Bb, the horn gets a little stuffy. It only seems to be that way when I play it as my teacher has played it and he has no trouble whatsoever.

So, my question is, how do I go about improving my low register? My warm-ups consist of descending scales and arpeggios, but nothing to focus solely on the low register.

What would you guys suggest?

Actually, I have a MMVI Baer, but it is an american shank. I can put electrical tape on it at use it, but it's not quite as good as the PT-50. My teacher used a Laskey 30C and a PT-88. I tried the PT-88 and it had a great bottom end, but it was just a little bit too big for my tastes. Unfortunately, I can't shell out the cash for another mouthpiece right now, I have too many as it stands

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Low ... a/19082735" target="_blank

This is a great, great, great book for melodic low-register playing. Also try playing Bordogni/Rochut vocalises down the octave (or two, if you use the trombone book).

http://www.amazon.com/Studies-Legato-Ba ... 0825809371" target="_blank

This is another great book, much in the vein of Bordogni, but with vocalises by Panofka, Concone and others. Typically, these exercises have shorter phrases and simpler rhythms than the Bordogni book, so you can play them down the octave without concerning yourself too much with other aspects of your playing, and really focus in on the quality of sound, intonation, slurs, etc.

Good luck. FWIW, I've always thought that low Bb and below on HB-21's are less resonant than other notes on the horn, especially manifesting around A-Ab. Besides that, these are one of my favorite tubas. I'm a college hack though, so take that as you will.

I do own the Bordogni, it's usually the first thing I go to right after my warm-up of scale, arpeggios, etc....I have not yet experimented with taking it down the octave as I am still trying to work it out . Let me elaborate a little bit more on how the low end plays:

From Bb down to Gb, the notes are a little more challenging to actually get going on the the
correct pitch (They just don't like to come out sometimes )

From F down, I have no trouble at all playing, the notes pop out easily and it sounds great

I'm guessing that it's not something that has to d with the horn or the mouthpiece, I'd wager that it's simply because I'm not used to it yet. I only made the switch from Bb to CC about 2 months ago, so I'm still getting used to the low end I guess.

Try buzzing down there.

It's really tough but it really helps.

Also, try air attacks.

Just like an manual transmission car, when you let go of the clutch, you give it a little more gas to get to gears to click in. The same with buzzing the mouthpiece, when you feel the buzz starting, give it a little more gas (i.e. your air)

If the note won't come out right away, thats okay. Just keep feeding it air. It'll come.

-Kory Major