Don't worry about it!
My hiatus from tuba playing was longer than yours, and after a few months back I was having a lot of fun.
I do recommend you get some lessons; otherwise it is too easy to make mistakes, and perfect those mistakes through practice.
Best of luck,
Allen Walker
I'm getting Cold Feet....
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Alex F
- 4 valves
- Posts: 798
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:39 am
- Location: Chicago
Brian:
Hang in there. It will take some time but it will happen with a bit of effort. Working with a teacher is a great idea. He/she should help you to find ways to make a good sound in an efficient manner. Having the reference point of someone hearing you play and helping you play better.
What tuba are you using?
Alex F.
Hang in there. It will take some time but it will happen with a bit of effort. Working with a teacher is a great idea. He/she should help you to find ways to make a good sound in an efficient manner. Having the reference point of someone hearing you play and helping you play better.
What tuba are you using?
Alex F.
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Rick F
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1679
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:47 pm
- Location: Lake Worth, FL
Hang in there Brian. It was 33 years that I took a break from euphonium. I've been back at it now for 6 years and currently the section leader in 2 comm. bands.
It took a bit of time for me to get the lip back, but practice makes perfect. After a few months of practicing 1 to 2 hours a day, my range was pretty good and my tone improved. Getting lessons is a good idea too so you don't practice any bad stuff. I still don't have the technical ability I'd like though.
It took a bit of time for me to get the lip back, but practice makes perfect. After a few months of practicing 1 to 2 hours a day, my range was pretty good and my tone improved. Getting lessons is a good idea too so you don't practice any bad stuff. I still don't have the technical ability I'd like though.
Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ/RF mpc
YEP-641S (recently sold), DE mpc (102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank)
Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches:
"Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
YEP-641S (recently sold), DE mpc (102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank)
Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches:
"Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
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Steve Inman
- 4 valves
- Posts: 804
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:48 am
How much prior experience did you have when you first picked up tuba in middle school?
How much progress did you attain in the time you played it before stopping? I would predict that your tone and (initially) high register will need a few months to whip back into shape. But if you start back up with the same key of tuba as you most "recently" played, you will be amazed that note recognition, fingerings, etc. will all come back very quickly. I would think you should re-cover the same ground that you did before, but at a much faster rate than when in HS and college.
I did not play in college and was quite concerned that after a 5 year break I wouldn't remember anything. I've been playing it again for the past 25 years and re-starting back in 1981 was amazingly easy.
If you were a decent college tubist, you should be able to be back to the same level without too much trouble. Go for it.
Cheers,
How much progress did you attain in the time you played it before stopping? I would predict that your tone and (initially) high register will need a few months to whip back into shape. But if you start back up with the same key of tuba as you most "recently" played, you will be amazed that note recognition, fingerings, etc. will all come back very quickly. I would think you should re-cover the same ground that you did before, but at a much faster rate than when in HS and college.
I did not play in college and was quite concerned that after a 5 year break I wouldn't remember anything. I've been playing it again for the past 25 years and re-starting back in 1981 was amazingly easy.
If you were a decent college tubist, you should be able to be back to the same level without too much trouble. Go for it.
Cheers,
Steve Inman
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
Yamaha YEB-381 Eb
Conn 56J CC
Willson-Marzan CC Solo Model
Kokomo Chamber Brass
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Dan Schultz
- TubaTinker
- Posts: 10424
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:46 pm
- Location: Newburgh, Indiana
- Contact:
Brian,
I too, stayed away from the tuba for a long time.... from 1968 until 1999. I was amazed and how quickly everything came back. I would venture a guess that whatever level you were when you quit playing you will return to in about six months or so. Go for it!
I too, stayed away from the tuba for a long time.... from 1968 until 1999. I was amazed and how quickly everything came back. I would venture a guess that whatever level you were when you quit playing you will return to in about six months or so. Go for it!
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
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DonShirer
- 4 valves
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:08 am
- Location: Westbrook, CT
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iiipopes
- Utility Infielder
- Posts: 8580
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am
I played sousaphone/tuba for marching band & college band. After grad school, I played trombone two years in a community band. Then nothing, except an occasional "one-off" sit in or recording session until a couple of years ago. Got the itch to play again after I got sick and couldn't do the weekend bar/garage band scene anymore. It took me about a year to get up to full speed, and into my second year back, I'm finally getting some of my finesse back and will probably be considered de facto section leader in the local state university community band next year.
A gentleman in another nearby community band is in your same position. He was principal bassist for the local symphony until his arthritis got him, and he sold his bass to the next person in line in the section and had to retire. I don't know his background with brass, but I sat in with him a few times and he's doing well.
Welcome back! You'll love it even more this time around!
A gentleman in another nearby community band is in your same position. He was principal bassist for the local symphony until his arthritis got him, and he sold his bass to the next person in line in the section and had to retire. I don't know his background with brass, but I sat in with him a few times and he's doing well.
Welcome back! You'll love it even more this time around!
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K
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tubatooter1940
- 6 valves
- Posts: 2530
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:09 pm
- Location: alabama gulf coast
Bdengler,
You sound anxious to get back in to tuba. Fear not, jump back in,
the water's fine. If you think it's gonna be fun, you're right.
I took 30 years off from tuba but played other instruments. Tuba was always and still is my best instrument. I can't play lead on guitar but I sure can on tuba. It didn't take me long to catch back up on tuba and as long as I at age 64, can still improve, I will stay at it.
You sound anxious to get back in to tuba. Fear not, jump back in,
the water's fine. If you think it's gonna be fun, you're right.
I took 30 years off from tuba but played other instruments. Tuba was always and still is my best instrument. I can't play lead on guitar but I sure can on tuba. It didn't take me long to catch back up on tuba and as long as I at age 64, can still improve, I will stay at it.