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How to reduce buzz sound on tuba?
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:49 am
by otakuphill
Been playing BBb in my beginning winds class for 3 semesters for the fun of it and bought a Eb tuba but still cant get a handle of reducing the buzz sound when i play. I'm fine on my euphonium but tuba is a mystery my.
Any tips to cleaning up the tone and reducing buzz?
Me trying on my Eb
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=63 ... nref=story
Re: How to reduce buzz sound on tuba?
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:50 am
by toobagrowl
otakuphill wrote:Been playing BBb in my beginning winds class for 3 semesters for the fun of it and bought a Eb tuba but still cant get a handle of reducing the buzz sound when i play. I'm fine on my euphonium but tuba is a mystery my.
Any tips to cleaning up the tone and reducing buzz?
Me trying on my Eb
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=63 ... nref=story
Are you talking about a slight metallic buzzing/rattling sound? Like Adam said, it could be your mpc not fitting into the receiver well. Or it could be a loose solder joint, or even valve springs rattling when you play certain notes. It happens.
Re: How to reduce buzz sound on tuba?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:51 am
by Full Metal Ratchet
Difficult to hear through the recording's audio compression artifacts, but it sounds a lot like a mechanical problem as mentioned - air leak somewhere causing a resonance loss. The only other thing I can think of is a problem I have when switching from euph/trom to tuba. I find myself not utilizing enough lip support from my embouchure which can thin out my sound and sometimes cause air leaks - if that makes sense.
You sound good regardless, and you would not hear any buzz from the audience's standpoint.
Re: How to reduce buzz sound on tuba?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:17 pm
by Davidus1
If the mouthpiece rocks back and forth in the receiver it could be a leak there. Otherwise focus on playing long tones and try a different mouthpiece to see if it has a different outcome. Hopefully you can borrow mouthpieces to try without having to buy. If you've only been playing a few weeks just give it time with plenty of long tones. It won't happen overnight but you should see improvement. Best wishes!
Re: How to reduce buzz sound on tuba?
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:34 pm
by Erik_Sweden
My 2 cents.
I have have an experience of when keeping chin and corners too firm, I get a kind of strange buzzing sound.
When relaxing and just keep the corners firm enough the problem was gone. For me this means a bit of puffing cheeks, but as long as sound is good, I don't mind.