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KiltieTuba wrote:Just looking at what instruments the "pros" play, you could try finding a larger tuba. This might help the low register sound less bright.

tuben wrote:There is a common misconception in tuba (and maybe all brass playing). The misconception is that tone color should not change with changes in register. The physics of the instrument demand differently. As you proceed further and further down in the register, more and more cylindrical tubing is used to make the pitch desired. This is why, no matter HOW hard you try, a CC played on CC tuba 124 will NEVER have the same tone color as CC played open (no valves).

Also, the further down the register you go, you are performing on shorter and shorter lengths of tuba (overall). In the middle and upper register, the tuba is resonating as a 'harmonic' length resonator. Meaning as you get further and further away from the fundamental pitch of the tuba (CCC of a CC tuba), you are playing on lengths of tubing that are MUCH longer than what is technically required to produce and support the pitch. In pipe-organ work, we often employ double length resonators to enforce the tone and help round it out.
(Understand? Here is the note produced compared to the length of tubing involved.)
CCC - 16'
CC - 16'
C - 16'
c0 (middle C) - 16'
c1 - 16'

This is all to say do not expect your extreme low range to have the same warm buttery quality your mid-range may have. Make every effort to make the sound you want, but understand why it's just not possible to have the extreme low range make the same color as the range above.

This is also completely ignoring the fact that dark, gooey sounds in the extreme low range are GREAT for soft playing, but at higher dynamics in ensemble settings such sounds have NO carrying or cutting power. There are many times in big groups and low range honking I'm making sounds that at the bell are offensive (or make Bill P. giggle). Fact is, once that sound gets through the ensemble, all you HEAR (recordings don't lie), is dark, meaty sound.

Don't be blatty, but don't be afraid to make a bright, vibrant sound either. Also, work with a drone pitch in that very lowest range to ensure you're in good tune. Be ready to move slides like a fiend IF you want to master the low range.

iamtubasam wrote:Something I have been told to do before is take an easy piece (such as a Christmas Carol since its around Christmas time or the national anthem) and play it down an octave or two. Pretty much just play an easy piece down in that low register. The more practice you have down there, the better (obviously).

tstryk wrote:

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:I agree that a simplistic idea like "playing low helps your high playing" is bull.

Strengthening your chops, which results from low playing, helps your high playing. Simple as that.

It is bull but it strengthens your chops and helps? Contradictory. It does strengthen the chops - that was precisely the point. For people like me who have had surgery or have not played for years, it also helps rehab the air tanks!

Northernlb wrote:Just because you do not understand a concept does not mean it does not work.

The reason it works and is a useful teaching concept is this helps the player develop a solid emoucher, intonation, and develops their understanding and hearing on the harmonic series.

A good teacher uses all teaching methods to teach, once a students needs have been assessed it is the the teachers job to use the correct method to move them forward.

To dismiss a teaching concept is small minded, we have choices for equipment because we are all different it stands to reason that multiple teaching methods are available because we are all different.

Northernlb wrote:Because its baloney to you does not lessen its impact for another player. If you retread my above comments you will see I explain exactly what this concept does for a player.

It funny how everyone has to play the same horn, believe in the same concepts, or deals in absolutes. Sometimes the thing that is the problem is caused by that something else.

Northernlb wrote: ....emoucher

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:.... someone who can't spell "embouchure" in a discussion about tuba pedagogy.