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I want to choose trumpet/trombone/violin/viola

I prefer a more portable instrument (trombone is portable compared to tuba)
I always wanted to play on the streets (you can't really play on the streets without looking awkward with tuba)
Trumpet (and maybe trombone) might mess up my embouchure <--- ???
Only moderate competition

Give me pros/cons of each (that I haven't stated), and please no bias towards brass!

Troll?

Really? Dude,(or Dudette) this is TUBEnet! If you're already a tubist, trombone or euphonium would be the most logical choice.

Electric bass

.........................................................................

I'll go ask somewhere else.

Get a Chinese tornister or travel f!

third vote for electric bass.

my reasons (my opinions):
You already understand the bass line.
Good electric bass players are in demand.
For street use you can use a small amplifier.
It will not disturb your chops.
A Fender Bass is very sturdy, portable, not too expensive (some models) and a fine instrument.

best of luck,
Mark
tuba and string bass

Baritone kazoo would be the obvious choice.

Electric bass is good, but there are a ton of good e-bass players out there.
I would vote bass trombone. I have actually had to turn down THREE good bass trombone opportunities in the last couple weeks because I am currently sans instrument. There are just certain kinds of environments where low brass is needed but tuba is not the desired voice. (Particularly when the part says 3rd or 4th trombone on it)

Well, if you’re only worried about portability, you can get a travel or mini tuba i.e. Wessex’s Bubbie or Mighty Midget. I personally am waiting for the release of the CC version to order my own. I haven’t played their “Bubbie” but I have played the BBb version of the Mighty Midget and liked it. It wasn’t too heavy and there were strap rings on the back (I’m planning to use a USMC rifle sling to hold it when standing ).

If you’re dead set on one of the instruments you listed, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the trombone. For me, with the slide, it is different enough I can keep the bone and my tuba separate in my head. I also haven’t noticed any issues with my chops (I’m also not a professional musician so you can draw your own conclusions there). I’ve played it in mostly Jazz and Pop ensembles on everything from lead on swing tunes and bass parts on some funk songs (borrowed a bass since I only have a tenor). I’ve even played for fun with some friends at our party: Bass acoustic guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle and the bone. It will never truly replace my tuba or my love for it, but it has given me the opportunity to play some things and get some experiences I would not have had otherwise.

MartyNeilan wrote:Electric bass is good, but there are a ton of good e-bass players out there.
I would vote bass trombone. I have actually had to turn down THREE good bass trombone opportunities in the last couple weeks because I am currently sans instrument. There are just certain kinds of environments where low brass is needed but tuba is not the desired voice. (Particularly when the part says 3rd or 4th trombone on it)

+1 I would love to find an inexpensive double rotor bass bone myself!

What is your purpose? Personal enjoyment? Fill in a gap in a community band? Gigging for $$$?

If #1, then a good acoustic guitar or portable keyboard, or possibly an electric with a small amp;
If #2, then bass bone or euph;
If #3, then bass guitar (some of the new combo amps are quite good, small & light, and have a line out to the board - let the sound guy deal with it. I do): Ibanez "Soundgear" 5-strings are some of the best value-for-money electric basses out there (I paid for mine after one gig, the bassic [pun intended] 2011 model SRA305, bought on closeout, and it has become my primary gigging instrument).

Personally, I play all the above for all the above reasons, including double bass pizz for jazz band gigs. bass guitar for my weekend band, I can do bass bone & euph, but I don't own either, so it takes me about a month to get into it when asked (thankfully that hasn't happened for quite a number of years), and I accompany my friend's church where he is pastor every Sunday on a semi-portable Korg SP-280 for his late service, after serving at my church for the early service. (Oh...and I still have the Marshall 2203 and the Silverfaced Bassman Export, each with accompanying speaker cabs in the storage unit, if I really feel the urge to rattle windows )

I would suggest both Bass Bone and Euph

One more vote for electric bass. There are lots of good players, but there are way more gigs. Every commercial band needs a bass player, if you can read, have a good ear, good time and possess the basic professional skills (should up on time, prepared, good attitude, etc.) you can get work. Yes, you too can try sight read The Black Page at your local watering hole while numbskulls alternately curse the game on TV and yell Freebird...

Seriously, if you are interested in string instruments I'd also opt for bass or guitar. Or banjo actually. Something with frets is a whole lot easier to manage. You can learn a few simple chords and play quite a variety of tunes. A nice Eflat Sousa would also be much more portable.

Hey, sometimes throwing out a sheet-anchor can help point you in the right direction when your mind is going down too many roads at once. Lord knows I've done it enough!

WoWwYnAtoR wrote: +1 I would love to find an inexpensive double rotor bass bone myself!

Never underestimate the usefulness of a good single trigger horn with a solid E pull. Plus, it forces you to develop good slide technique.

audition hasn't started yet

and what is so obscure about my question....?

how does a mini tuba compare to a normal tuba?

Several members of the TNFJ wrote:Electric bass

The OP wanted something more portable than a tuba. How is a bass guitar and a decent bass amp (plus cables and the inevitable extension cord) more portable?

vd8m9 wrote:how does a mini tuba compare to a normal tuba?

Look here,

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=59646

And here.

viewtopic.php?t=59761

MartyNeilan wrote:

WoWwYnAtoR wrote: +1 I would love to find an inexpensive double rotor bass bone myself!

Never underestimate the usefulness of a good single trigger horn with a solid E pull. Plus, it forces you to develop good slide technique.

Very true, but since I already have a single rotor tenor bone, I would love a bass bone like the Mack Brass double rotor!

http://www.mackbrass.com/MACK-TB831L_Bass_Bone.php