TubeNet

This is the cover photo on the TUBA Journal, Vol. 20, No. 4, Summer 1993. It also appears on p. 36 in the lead article, "Respiration for Wind Musicians: From the Bronze age to the End of the 20th Century" by Andre M. Smith. The picture of Marguerite Dufay on p. 38 is perhaps even more awe-inspiring.

Nowadays we have the CPAP device, which injects pressurized, moisturized heated air into the nostrils by means of a facial cup that seals. All you have to do is learn to open your nasal area to let the air pass out the mouth, which is the last thing a tuba player would normally do (diverting air out the nose whilst blowing a tuba).

Wonder if you really need to speak French to *really* use this thing...

Walter Webb wrote:Nowadays we have the CPAP device, which injects pressurized, moisturized heated air into the nostrils by means of a facial cup that seals. All you have to do is learn to open your nasal area to let the air pass out the mouth, which is the last thing a tuba player would normally do (diverting air out the nose whilst blowing a tuba).

I have used a CPAP for quite a few years - first with a nasal mask and now with a full mask. Sleep Apnea is a very real thing and if you suspect you might have a problem, get tested! I didn't know until I shared a room on a band tour... more info about apnea here.

To get back to the comment - I have not actually tried it, but I don't think the volume of air that the CPAP provides would be enough to make a significant difference in playing a tuba. The nasal mask would interfere with the mouthpiece placement - they do make a "nasal pillow" version that might work to some degree, but I don't think the PSI level would make much of a difference.

Circular Breathing will have to be done by other methods!

Forgive me, but I think putting that tube in your rear end would be just about as effective as what they're suggesting here.
Hell, it might even be MORE effective, since it might just GOOSE that last bit of air outta ya

I have tried it with my CPAP nasal mask. It didn't work, for one thing the mask takes up enough room that there's not much for the mouthpiece, unless you're a 1/3 top-2/3 bottom kind of player. The airflow could help, but it really isn't nearly as much as the normal tuba playing volume.

I've heard that this was developed for Sibelius 2, 3rd movement, that Bb that goes 20 or so bars. I'd not seen this photo before, very cool.

Looks a bit more comfortable than the one where you stick the tube in your chest...