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My tuba playing has a relatively "pure" tone, not really a bad sound, but I sound more like a bass trumpet than a tuba.
Any suggestions on how to get a fatter, more tuba like sound would be appreciated, thanks.

More air!

bort wrote:More air!

Faster and a larger volume of air but be careful and don't overblow. That's key for a "fatter" sound.

Musical_Eagle wrote:

bort wrote:More air!

Faster and a larger volume of air but be careful and don't overblow. That's key for a "fatter" sound.

Not faster. Higher velocity will make it even worse. Steady "big air," and think "Oh," with the inside of the mouth.

iiipopes wrote:

Musical_Eagle wrote:

bort wrote:More air!

Faster and a larger volume of air but be careful and don't overblow. That's key for a "fatter" sound.

Not faster. Higher velocity will make it even worse. Steady "big air."

Okay, I stand corrected. I just remember that from what some of my instructors have told me so sorry for the misinstruction.

I found it helpful to think of filling the tuba not with air, but with vibration. (which will greatly be aided by air, but air alone will not make a sound.)

Get a 6/4 BAT

Bigger mouthpiece?
(You'll know if it's too big.)

Maybe, you need Tubby, a very fat little tuba.
What are you playing, how long have you been playing, and how big are you ( a factor in air capacity) and more questions could be asked before one could offer any serious advice here beyond consult a GOOD teacher.

That Callichio mouthpiece you use is pretty shallow. That would tend to make the sound more pointed.

Remember, there's a big difference between playing FULL and playing LOUD. Ultimately using warmer air with a more open syllable like TOH, which has been suggested, will give you a rounder sound like a string bass. If you're using a shallow mouthpiece, though, that would tend to hinder the full sound I think you're after.

Are there any professionals in your area that you could maybe take a few lessons from to help you out? Just sitting next to someone who plays better than you will give you a better concept of sound to try and copy.

-Michael

Try using as little pressure as possible to allow the lips to vibrate to their fullest (back off until there is air leakage and then apply just enough pressure to stop it). Try pushing the lips forward into the mouthpiece in a kind of pouting motion without pressure. Try to have even more of your lips participating in the vibration. Also work on opening the throat. (fogging a mirror with a whispered "Ha" or "Ho"). Air is the key but delivering it efficiently is also important.