The Toothless Tubist

[adam0408]

If you have a setup that works well for you in the low range, you should be able to transfer that to the high range. Changing equipment will probably not do all that much for you since from what you say I gather your results are similar on your different horns. I feel very strange giving you advice since I have definately not been playing for 22 years, but I do have a solid high range. What got my high range really working was long tones. It is a slow process, but its worth it. Also, find a solo piece that hangs out in that high register and work on it like your life depends on it.

Like a trumpet player told me recently... just use lots of air. That is probably the best high range advice ever. Also, play around with shifting your airstream down into the mouthpiece. And as far as pressure is concerned, I think you are on the right track. I really use no more pressure to play in the high range than I do in the mid ranges of my instrument.

Perhaps the whole reason you "sound awful" in your high range is because of that.... you sound awful so you dont want to play up there so you arent used to it.... so you sound awful. Its a very circular way of looking at things, but I think its very true.

More on the long tone idea.... The long tones that really work for me go something like this: Start out on a note that you are really comfortable playing, lets say f just below the staff in your case. Start as soft as possible and cresc. to as loud as possible and then decresc. back to soft. Time the crescendo so that it is shorter than the decresc. because as you will find out it is much harder to control the back of the note than the front. After doing that, jump up an octave, and continue doing this two octave thing chromatically up the scale until you are no longer able to get a tone out. This method is good because the lower octave sort of resets your embouchure and keeps your mind around the right tonal center (or something) This exercise should probably occur at the end of your practice time, and can take as long as 15-20 minutes to do depending on how much of your range you decide to cover.

Something you would be well advised to do is get an expert opinion on this. It is impossible for someone who cant hear you play to decipher exactly what is going on with your playing. I will however say that the method I used (and still use) is tried and true. Your situation is unique, and the best thing you might do is experiment and find what works best for you. The main thing is just to get used to playing up high and not be scared of it anymore.

[Wilco]

Most obvious clue would be that you're missing 2 front teeth.... Having an overbite or underbite seems to affect range too. Maybe your low range is so strong because of that gap between you teeth, making the aperture very large. So maybe you can't close it enough for high playing...

[tubeast]

As far as I take it you´re very fortunate. Solid low and medium ranges with little flaws ons the upper end sure is much better on a tuba than the other way around.
Since you figured out ways to use your "special" embouchure I wouldn´t worry about the number of teeth involved in high range playing. Chances are that eventually you´ll figure out ways to cope with high range as well.

The one thing I found out is that to build up high range, solid low range (which you have) is THE foundation. I always use scales to sorta "touch the rim" and get it higher up there. Very rarely do I practise high range stuff exclusively. That helps me to keep my chops relaxed, and nobody expects me (as an amateur) to sub the french horn on my tuba. What I need are short, but solid and reliable excursions to the high range.
Remember, when you´re working out to build your muscles, you go to the gym and PUMP some iron. You won´t lift the weight once and keep it there for an hour.
FWIW

Hans

[manatee]

As someone who is also dentally challenged, are you playing with a partial or bridge in your mouth? Where or, off what are you toungueing?

[phoenix]

I've heard of a trombone player that got his front teeth knocked out in his high school years. After he was able to play again, he could play ungodly high. Like up to double high D (two lines above the treble clef staff)! Good tone quality too.

[MaryAnn]

If you can find any info on the Maggio system it might be of use.
It would be interesting if Roger Lewis would chip in on this one, too.

MA

[tubatooter1940]

As a toothless tubist,It sounds to me that your missing two front teeth could be the reason your high range is limited.You have learned to compensate in most ways but buzzing more narrowly for a high note may need a wall where the teeth are gone.I wonder if a partial plate would help.I had partials but I was a guitar/vocalist at the time.
After all my teeth were removed,I spent seven grand on implants to secure the lower denture only,and found I could play tuba fine and even a little trumpet but my range is the same as yours.I refuse to play with pressure and had to be content with limited range at a ripe old age but with 40 years experience as a horn man,I can fool 'em into believing I have lungs and a lip.
Let nothing deter you from your "plan".
Dennis Gray
www.johnreno.com/

[Kevin Hendrick]

... I can play trombone fine.Wall shaking pedal tones, strong high and low registers. I can make most Bass Boner's cry with my pedal tones.

Interesting -- you might want to try a smaller-diameter mouthpiece (you'd trade away some low range, but it sounds like you've got lots to spare there ). It sounds like the smaller rim of the trombone mouthpiece is supporting your embouchure better than the larger rim of an "average" tuba mouthpiece. If you know someone who has a Bach 30E or 32E that you could borrow, that might be a good first step (proof of concept).

I'd also second MaryAnn's observation about Roger Lewis -- he's posted on the subject of high range development a number of times. Here's one I found particularly useful:

viewtopic.php?t=4051

Hope this helps!