Mouthpiece Advice

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:48 pm

I know I have asked mouthpiece advice several times....I have spent some time on different mouthpieces. Hopefully someone can give me some suggestions. I have spent time on a helleburg and I like the flexibility on it and I never tend to over shoot high jmps on it, but my tone is awful with it. I learned tuba on a 24AW, and I went back to it for a while. My low range (below A) doesn't speak very well, and my tone is decent, but not as good as on my TU29. Overall the TU29 fits me pretty well, except my high range on it. My low range coems out very easily on the TU29 and my tone is best on it. I guess something thats a combo of a TU29 and a hellburg would be ultimately best. Any advice?

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:20 pm

You, know,like, "firm the corners," "relax and drop your jaw," "constant air," etc. Good luck!

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:38 pm

I don't think it's air support.....the TU29 seems much larger than the helleburg, I would assumer that would take more air. With the helleburg I can get a full sound, just the tone isn't as good as it is with the TU29. It could be a breath support problem.....but I don't think it is.

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:43 pm

thanks for the tips! I can take in whatever I get....my mouthpiece knowledge isn't too advanced. Not really sure what rim sizes, cup sizes, shank diameters mean, I can just tell what mouthpieces I prefer over others......but a lot of people here have more experience with all sorts of mouthpeices so I knew it was worth asking

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:10 pm

Yes, you should absolutely use a mouthpiece. It's so hard to get low without one.

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:12 pm

thanks for the advice!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:40 pm

mTaUrBkA wrote:I don't think it's air support.....the TU29 seems much larger than the helleburg, I would assumer that would take more air. With the helleburg I can get a full sound, just the tone isn't as good as it is with the TU29. It could be a breath support problem.....but I don't think it is.

The '29 has a bigger throat (the small opening at the bottom of the cup) than the Helleberg or the Bach, which may be the one aspect you like. It is probably a wider rim opening, too which may be why you're having trouble with high range, but really liking the low range.

You want to go somewhere and try out mouthpieces so you can find the width/depth/throat that is right for you. Anyone saying that the xxxx mouthpiece is right for you over the web without hearing you is either kidding themselves or you. This is one area where the advice of a tuba teacher is invaluable.

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:52 pm

tubatooter1940 wrote:Yes, you should absolutely use a mouthpiece. It's so hard to get low without one.

... but the high range is incredible!

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:42 am

thanks for the input!