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Hey all, I'm currently finishing up my undergraduate degree, and am seriously entertaining pursuing a M.M. in Tuba Performance somewhere. My undergrad was primarily MuEd centered, so the pedagogue in me is really interested in exploring a Non-Jacobian approach to tuba and music, to round out my 6 years of studying under instructors heavily influenced by Jacobs' teachings.
I really do subscribe to the Jacobs methodology, but as a player and teacher, I would really enjoy having a firm basis in another method/approach.

So my question boils down to this: Who are some names of people who subscribe to and teach a non-jacobian method, and do any of them hold positions at universities with a M.M. program with (hopefully) graduate assistant-ships.

A couple of thoughts. I won't be answering your question directly, so bear with me:

• Assuming you are pursuing a M.M. as a finishing step for your own performance, it might be better to look for a teacher/program that fills the gaps in your current technique & repertoire, rather than a divergent pedagogical approach.
  
  Finding an instructor who doesn't carry a "Jacobean" influence will be very difficult, and with good reason. Kind of like finding a trombonist without a "Remingtonian" influence. These giants have trained and influenced at least two generations of the best brass players ever. I never studied with Mr. Jacobs, but both of my major profs did, and I am better for it. Every great teacher brings his unique persona, experience, and passion to the table, along with his pedigree.

Gregsundt is correct that you won't find a teacher that isn't at least aware of Jacobs and influenced by it.

If your interest is in understanding other pedagogies that's awesome.. but in my personal experience that can sometimes be at cross purposes to just learning to play the horn.

THAT SAID, parallel to Jacobs teaching.. many greats were produced by Torchinsky in particular.

I also find the pedagogy of Fred Marzan to be very interesting. Bobo has his own unique and arguably non-Jacobian teaching method.

Prior to all of the above names was Helleberg and Bell.. which brings me to this observation.

The people that are actually successful performers would have been amazing no matter how they were taught. Many of the greats listed above were taught things that were completely wrong headed.. and/or taught those wrong headed things themselves. If you want to learn about other pedagogies just grab a few lessons with as many people as possible. It will open your eyes.

On the other hand, if your goal is to become great at tuba.. spend time talking and listening and being around those you would like to emulate.. figure out what makes how they think different from those that never make it.

Put more simply, the people that 'make it' don't wait for a teacher to tell them how to be great.. they listen intensely always... have highly refined musical value systems(from listening).. and do whatever it takes to achieve those values.

gregsundt wrote:

Finding an instructor who doesn't carry a "Jacobean" influence will be very difficult, and with good reason. Kind of like finding a trombonist without a "Remingtonian" influence. These giants have trained and influenced at least two generations of the best brass players ever.

I'm not getting on Greg and I am not an expert on tuba pedagogy, but in the context of trumpet and other brass pedagogy, in discussions with folks who are more analytical about technique (specific lip positions, motions, etc.) the opinion is sometimes expressed that the "Wind and Song" school set back brass playing by a generation or more. So there is another view.

If the OP is interested in teaching technique from a more detailed analytical perspective (for want of a better term), or just in learning about it, he might seek out some lessons from one of the schools that teach that way. I would think specifically about Doc Reinhardt's students myself, although there are other schools that focus on other things besides just "Wind and Song."