I just purchased a beautiful Conn 52j from Dillon Music, and after a day of playing it I've been noticing a few quirks. There's one thing that I'm hoping someone can help me with.
All but one of the quirks I've found I can work with, with no big issue, but...
I will tune to the low C and the bottom line G, and it will be perfect, but the C in the staff is super sharp. I can get all the other partials locked in with little to no effort, but that 4th partial is always about 20-30 cents sharp.
I'm wondering if it's me, my mouthpiece (Helleberg 120s), or the tuba itself. I haven't had this problem on other horns I've played, and I'm hoping it's a mouthpiece issue, but I'd love any advice or help anyone can give.
Sharp 4th Partial Help?
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Womp$
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Sharp 4th Partial Help?
SUU Music Ed
- Matt Walters
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Re: Sharp 4th Partial Help?
For the conn 5xJ series of CC tubas, tune the C that is 2nd space in the staff. Then the C below the staff can be played in tune if you don't power open you jaw as if you were playing another 4th or 5th lower. i.e.
*There is a subtle slot that is in-tune that a relaxed player will naturally use.
*The less experienced player will open their chops too much and drop into a deep slot that is about 40 cents flat.
Tune the 2nd space C and then just play the C below the staff without thinking it is a low note. Don't try so hard.
E in the staff has to be played 1&2 because they didn't listen to my instructions or copy the 3rd branch of the prototype I did.
A on the top line is best played 3rd valve.
*There is a subtle slot that is in-tune that a relaxed player will naturally use.
*The less experienced player will open their chops too much and drop into a deep slot that is about 40 cents flat.
Tune the 2nd space C and then just play the C below the staff without thinking it is a low note. Don't try so hard.
E in the staff has to be played 1&2 because they didn't listen to my instructions or copy the 3rd branch of the prototype I did.
A on the top line is best played 3rd valve.
Matt Walters
Last chair tubist
Who Cares What Ensemble
Owns old tubas that play better than what you have.
Last chair tubist
Who Cares What Ensemble
Owns old tubas that play better than what you have.
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Re: Sharp 4th Partial Help?
This. ^ From the guy who designed the tuba.Matt Walters wrote:For the conn 5xJ series of CC tubas, tune the C that is 2nd space in the staff. Then the C below the staff can be played in tune if you don't power open you jaw as if you were playing another 4th or 5th lower. i.e.
*There is a subtle slot that is in-tune that a relaxed player will naturally use.
*The less experienced player will open their chops too much and drop into a deep slot that is about 40 cents flat.
Tune the 2nd space C and then just play the C below the staff without thinking it is a low note. Don't try so hard.
E in the staff has to be played 1&2 because they didn't listen to my instructions or copy the 3rd branch of the prototype I did.
A on the top line is best played 3rd valve.
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K