What (or Who) is tuba sound to you

[MartyNeilan]

A.J.'s York on recordings, W.D.'s Frankenstein live.

Why did I specify horns?
Because
A) Although his style was excellent I didn't like sound of the little F A.J. used on the infamous VW recording, and
B) as much as I admire W.D.'s sound I always preferred the breadth plus clarity, core, and focus of Frankenstein vs. some of his later horns.

[sc_curtis]

There are 2 sounds in my world...

1. The sound in my head I strive for

2. The sound that I actually make

I like to think I am continually making headway towards my goal, but I'm not there yet.

One of the biggest influences in my "head sound" would have to be Warren Deck. Chester, Thornton, Sanders, and Fedderely all have a place in my "favortite things to listen" collection. Floyd Cooley sounds really good on the recordings I have as well.Some other influences of late have been a number of tuba players from across the pond: John Jenkins, Chris McShane, Fletcher, Patrick Herrild, etc... those guys sound amazing!

[Joe Baker]

There are three very different sounds I want to be able to make on tuba: the "Tommy Johnson" sound; the "Lawrence Welk's tuba player" sound; and a third sound -- the sound that first turned me on to playing a tuba: the 'tuba' in the sound track to "The Sting". As I've gotten better stereo equipment and more discerning ears, I've concluded that a lot of the "Sting" soundtrack is actually a string bass and a bass trombone, or MAYBE a bass and a small tuba (don't suppose anyone here knows?), playing VERY nicely together. But it's JUST the sound I want to get on Tuba when I play small ensemble (non-legit) stuff.
_________________________________
Joe Baker, who has learned to lie to himself and CONVINCE himself he has those sounds, which in some ways is just as good!!

[ZACH336]

I try to in ensemble match my sound as closely to the trombones as possible. The darker and more focused the more I like it, I much prefer an intense focused sound to that of a foghorn sousaphone type sound.


I guess instead of supporting the trombones I believe it to be far superior to become one with them lol.

[ZACH336]

"Either that, or go see the doctor for your sickness. "



Perhaps not a bad idea.

[LoyalTubist]

I didn't know whose sound I emulated until after he died. It's George Boujie, who was the staff tuba player at MGM under the old studio system. He was the soloist on the Tubby the Tuba 78 record with Danny Kaye narrating. (You can download that as an MP3, I will get back with anyone who wants to know where to find it!--PM me.)

[David]

I think it can sound can be made to sound like all these things, but also has a very unique sound. That's what I love about it. Though it is large, and strange to most, it has a very flexible sound.

[Tuba-G Bass]

While it does have mostly it's own tonal qualities, I think a tuba,
especially a F played up real high, seems to sound French Horn like, the same for Euphonium.

Aside from the Tuba,I play Bass Trombone too,
now that has it's own sound,to my ear, high or low.
Except if you roll out one of those Cimbassos.

[Tuba-G Bass]

To add to this thread about tuba sound,

I always felt that I sounded too bright on most tuba equipment,
If I had the talent and bent to be a soloist or a small esemble player,
I would be fine, but I know my place, I am a municipal band tuba player,
charged with laying down a good foundation of Bass sound.

I own a 4/4 tall (Scheider/Weitlang like) German style 4rv horn,

I played for one season with a Bach Megatone 7, felt something was missing.

Next season the same tuba, but I bought a stainless G&W mouthpiece,
the Diablo, liked the increase in power and ease, still had
more of a cuting edge to it, fundamental somewhat weak,
too much overtone.

So for this coming season, I have bought a Conn 24J, and will
use a G&W Bayamo, figuring that between the horn and the mouthpiece,
I can have my sought after broad bass sound.

I haven't had much time to practice,
thanks to a busy workload at the TV Studio,
but already I feel the 24J has gotten me going in the right direction,
and since it's a bell front, my sound won't get lost in the tree tops any more.

[ken k]

I love Sam Pilafian's sound on the old Empire brass recordings and John Fletcher's sound on the Phillip Jones recordings.

Listening to Matt Perine in Bonerama kills me too. Obviously a different sound for that kind of music but an awesome sound nonetheless. Same with Howard Johnson. I wish I could be in NJ tonight.