Teaching my Dad

[michael_glenn]

Hello TubeNet!
My dad is wanting to learn, and I am wanting to teach him tuba so he can play in TUBACHRISTMAS! I am trying to figure out what kind of tuba he should start out on. I currently predominately play CC tuba, so when it comes to him learning fingerings, would it be best for him to start on CC as well, or go with the more traditional BBb or Eb? Additionally, if you know any cheap make/models that would be good for a once a year player, that would be great!
If you have any tips for this type of situation, I will be more than happy to take suggestions.

[groovlow]

Get an older American Eb common prices range $300 to $700 3valves.
If you're really lucky much cheaper...keep an eye out.
Smaller bore might be easier for a beginner .
It could be a valuable horn for you to use too since you have a big horn already.
Sounds like fun, my brother is flirting with the idea.
Joe

[Tom]

Would it be out of the question for you to keep that Meinl Weston 186 you've been trying to sell in order for him to play it?

[michael_glenn]

Tom, I would prefer to sell it, and buy him something cheaper. I'm looking at a cheap little helicon. I think it would be fun for him to play.

[Mark E. Chachich]

I would second an old E flat. You can get something fairly good for not too much money. If he really likes tuba there i a wide array of E flats to consider (and many of the old good ones will still be less expensive than tubas in other keys).

When my father retired (around 1980) he wanted to learn tuba (he had played in high school). I let him use an old E flat Sousaphone that I have. He got better so I got him a Diston 3 valve E flat, my friend Randy Harrison made a third valve slide (the tuba was very inexpensive with a missing slide). He got even better and more serious about the tuba so I gave him my York Monster E flat (four valves) that was my bass tuba when music was the majority of my income. He ended up playing with the local tuba ensemble in some of our bar gigs. My point is that there are good old E flats out there for not too much money (on tuba standards) and as I told my father when I gave him my York, it is much more fun to play a good tuba that does not hold you back.

best to your father and you,
Mark