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Call me crazy, but I've been hitting the practice hard here the past few days since getting my new toy, and I've still been keeping up my tuba playing daily, because I have a solo performance with my community band on The Old Grumbly Bear coming up on April 12th, but I have been doing about an hour of each so two hours of face time, one on Euphonium and one on tuba, and call me crazy but my tuba playing has REALLY gotten better, like, I was no push over to begin with, but now it has gotten even better. I was terrified that switching would destroy what I had going on with the tuba, but strangely enough it's just improved it.

Has this happened to anyone else? This makes me really wanna double/buy my own euph, since I'm just borrowing this one for quite some time. I'm still relearning Bb, but other than that it's going quite well. I almost want to take lessons on it.

Yay doubling,
Zac

No, but you've given me hope that I should try again!!

I have thin trumpet lips but struggle with the upper range even worse than the Tuba.

The only thing you need to be aware of when going back and forth between a contrabass tuba and a tenor tuba is that the higher tessitura of the tenor tuba results in increased air pressure due to the smaller opening in the embouchure. This can cause you to close the oral cavity and thin out the air stream provided to the lips. This isn't a huge issue with the smaller instrument, but when you switch back to the big tuba, you must make sure you get back to using "thick air." It is similar to the effect that trumpet players can have when going back and forth between piccolo trumpet and Bb or C.

It will be best if you have some time in between playing the little horn and then going back to the big horn. Just make sure you use a low vowel such as OH, OOH, or AHH (mentally, without actually vocalizing), to keep the tongue low in the mouth so you can use a thick column of air when playing the big tuba. Of course, it will help if you use the same concept of thick air on the tenor tuba as well.

Due to a comparatively smaller mp than tuba, I find that I tend to over breathe on the euph, taking in way too much air, playing very long phrases and then "turning blue" from hypoventilation. I have to remember to take more frequent breaths when there are places to do so. I'ts not really that important that one can 'out-phrase' and oboist. (Though it can be impressive)

happyroman wrote:The only thing you need to be aware of when going back and forth between a contrabass tuba and a tenor tuba is that the higher tessitura of the tenor tuba results in increased air pressure due to the smaller opening in the embouchure. This can cause you to close the oral cavity and thin out the air stream provided to the lips. This isn't a huge issue with the smaller instrument, but when you switch back to the big tuba, you must make sure you get back to using "thick air." It is similar to the effect that trumpet players can have when going back and forth between piccolo trumpet and Bb or C.

You may also find, along the same lines, the tendency to use too much pressure against the euph mouthpiece (particularly when exploring the newer high range) -- which can have the similar effect of things just closing up on you. Overall, however, I believe that my euph playing has taught me more about what a good embouchure is on both instruments, and how to avoid excessive pressure on the rim.

Well this far I can hit the C or D above the high Bb, but I could do that on tuba, so I assumed it would be easier on Euph, which it is. I've hit F a few times, but it's crazy how it's made things better. I love it. I'm getting my mouthpiece in Monday, so in very excited about that. My tuba high range now is even better, too, which I assumed would be to be expected, but my low range hasn't suffered, because in my 10 minute routine I'm doing on Euph is allowing me to go all over the horn. Basically from pedal BBb, like tuba pedal, to high Bb. Mainly long tones. Then scales and ect.

Usually after my practice session on Euph my airflow and everything is just better. I guess because it requires faster air, but I could be wrong.

I need to buy some Euph stuff. I don't really have any Euph music.

They help each other. Don't overthink doubling. I have been tripling for years (tuba, euphonium, trombone). Enjoy it. Just do it!!!!!!

Yes! I'm really liking it so far. I'm still working on it really hard, getting my fingers under me and what not, but I'm liking what I can do so far. I'm really starting to develop a good sound on the instrument! I'm working slowly through the Arbans to get my fingers and lips used to the horns.

The next project is either bass or tenor trombone! Then I guess I'll be done with instruments, because I have no desire to learn anything else.

The opposite is definitely true; reminds you not to cheat with your air!

TubaZac2012 wrote:Well this far I can hit the C or D above the high Bb, but I could do that on tuba, so I assumed it would be easier on Euph, which it is.

To most euph players, I think that "high Bb" means the one on the 4th ledger line above the staff. So the C and D would be the ones above that?

ghmerrill wrote:

TubaZac2012 wrote:Well this far I can hit the C or D above the high Bb, but I could do that on tuba, so I assumed it would be easier on Euph, which it is.

To most euph players, I think that "high Bb" means the one on the 4th ledger line above the staff. So the C and D would be the ones above that?

Yes! I have a good C and D. Most days.