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I'm hoping that some of you out there with a penchant for accessories can give me some advice.

I've been fighting a basic problem for a long time now; I have an abnormally long torso and short legs (my understanding is that it comes from my Scandanavian heritage, but I'm not sure). I play on pretty big horns, but it's still a constant battle to get the mouthpiece up to face level. I've tried every trick in the book (towels, etc.) but nothing works. I'm aggrivated enough that I'm finally ready to buy a stand to lift my horns up higher when I'm playing.

I've tried the DEG stand in college, and I hated it. I felt very separated from the horn. I know it sounds strange, but I like to feel the vibrations right against my chest.

Any other suggestions on stands that are comfortable and keep the horn near the player? It would also be outstanding if it was easily removable so I could use it for both horns.

Thanks for your advice!

Otto wrote:Any other suggestions on stands that are comfortable and keep the horn near the player? It would also be outstanding if it was easily removable so I could use it for both horns.

I don't really understand how a stand like the DEG, K&M, or Baltimore Brass keep the horn away from the player. My relationship to the instrument seems to be controlled by needing to connect lips to mouthpiece, and I find all too many places where I touch the instrument between the mouthpiece and the stand.

There are couple of stands that attach to the chair, but these might suffer from the same issue as the above stands.

Finally, there is the Stewart Stand, which is a cello pin with an attached pin rest mounted to the instrument using fitments that are strapped to the bottom bow and bell stack. The pin rest sits on the chair. The pin is easily removeable, but the mountings are not.

Another option is to devise your own seating and bring it with you. Chuck G. uses a folding keyboard stool, and sits astride it, resting the tube on it in front of him.

Rick "who doesn't find the K&M, DEG, and BB stands keep you from sliding up to the instrument" Denney

Finally, there is the Stewart Stand, which is a cello pin with an attached pin rest mounted to the instrument using fitments that are strapped to the bottom bow and bell stack. The pin rest sits on the chair. The pin is easily removeable, but the mountings are not.

If you remove the ball or other piece from the end of a Stewart stand you can cut a 1-3 foot piece of 3/4 in dowel, drill a hole in the end, add a cane or crutch tip and make the stand extend to the floor. That will allow you to lean the horn back slightly and it may get you closer to the horn that way.
I suspect you are sitting way back in the chair. Sitting closer to the edge of the chair with the other stands mentioned above should get you as close to the horn as you want.

Otto wrote:I've tried the DEG stand in college, and I hated it. I felt very separated from the horn. I know it sounds strange, but I like to feel the vibrations right against my chest.

I have the same problem -- long torso and short legs. The mouthpiece on my Miraphone 191 is atleast three inches too low when on my lap and on the 181 is at least six inches too low. I got the K&M stand and it works great. It also seems to me that you can still get the tuba as clese to your body as you like.

Thanks for all the great advice - I have some shopping to do!

Just to answer a few questions, I actually sit way forward in the chair. Admittedly, it's been quite a while since I tried the DEG stand in college, and I'm sure my playing has changed a lot since then - it's entirely possible that I was back in the chair originally and that's why the floor stand didn't work. I should probably revisit the issue and try one again.

Thanks again!

Sounds identical to my problem (body construction, etc).

My solution was to go to Wal-Mart (or equivalent) and buy some rubber non-adhesive shelf liner, the kind that's mesh-looking, but real grippy. I put a liberally cut square of that on my left leg and balance the horn just on that thigh. It works especially well for me b/c I can reach through my 2155 to get to the slides for adjustment. I'm not sure if this position would be possible on a tighter wrapped instrument.

I've found it to definately be true that the horn resonates better with less of it touching my body, so this position has becomr essential not only for posture, but for tone.

YMMV.

I suggest either the Baltimore Brass stand or the K&M, but not the Deg--very light-weight, but very flimsy,too. When you move forward in your chair, the horn is as tight to your body as it's possible to get! Oh, and Nick's offer of the K&M is even better than he thinks: the best selling price new is $110., not $85.

I use the Tuba Tamer and love it. I stand with it, but it can also be used sitting.

Good luck!

Sumner

is the tubassist height adjustable? will it work on metal folding chairs as well as very thick cushion chairs?

I recently got a Tubassist and highly recommend it. There is a wide range of adjustability, so you can rest your horn well below seat height or elevate it a lot. I've used it on metal, plastic, padded and folding wooden chairs, and there was always a way to get it right. The thing I like best about it is that while it supports the horn, it doesn't immobilize it. You can move your horn just as if it were in your lap. The more I experiment with mine the more I like it - and I play an old heavy King with a short leadpipe that would otherwise cause me a lot of frustration.
Sally "vertically challenged myself, but I have a big Norwegian tuba-playing son" Larsen