Playing multiple brass instruments

[TubaNick]

First of all, hello everyone! This is my first post on TubeNet.

I have 3 years of playing experience on the tuba, and I have been considering attempting to learn to play more instruments of the brass family. Recently I was able to get a hold of a school-owned baritone, and I have been playing around with it for a few days. I also own a trumpet, which I haven't had the heart to seriously try to practice yet.

My question to you all is: can playing higher brass instruments possibly negatively affect my tuba playing ability? Additionally, are there things I should be cautious of while practicing with multiple instruments? So far I haven't noticed any negative changes in my tuba playing, but then again I haven't been playing the baritone for very long, either.

I greatly appreciate your opinions!

[windshieldbug]

First of all, an orchestral tubist usually plays more than one instrument as a matter of course. Both contrabasses and basses (Bb tenor, just like the baritone).

I've found that if you are using a proper, no pressure embouchure, it doesn't matter what size the mouthpiece is.

I played piccolo trumpet at my sister's wedding. But if your main focus is tuba, spend the far greatest amount of time working with your primary instrument.

[Art Hovey]

At first you will find that playing other brass instruments messes up your chops a little. Don't try it on the day of an audition or a concert with exposed tuba stuff. But if you practice all of the instruments every day you can get used to it and you will find your high register on the tuba improving. Just always remember what your primary instrument is.

[iiipopes]

What he said. I started in elementary school on trumpet. Gradually through the years I worked my way down and back up the brass food chain. After laying it aside for over 20 years after grad school, I have found I can play anything on high to mid to not quite so low brass for one song. Then the endurance goes on everything but tuba, which I can play all night if need be (just got done this month with a two-hour concert, a couple of 1-hour continuous sessions as a "bell ringer," and a 3-hour session helping support my son's cub scout pack caroling).

Can it be done? Yes. Is is advisable to do it? Probably not. Find your niche and stick with it.

[gregsundt]

I've found that if you are using a proper, no pressure embouchure, it doesn't matter what size the mouthpiece is.

But if your main focus is tuba, spend the far greatest amount of time working with your primary instrument.

Just always remember what your primary instrument is.

Also, I have found that starting your day on the main horn, at least playing a full range of warm-up studies before picking up another instrument, has helped me keep the proper sound concept and "feel" intact.

[MikeS]

I'll add another voice in general agreement. I enjoy playing trumpet and cornet and don't think it hurts my trombone, euph or tuba playing. I think the key is to spend at least 15 minutes every day on every horn you play. I feel that trumpet playing has taught me things, especially about tonguing, that have been very helpful on the lower instruments.

That said, practice time on secondary instruments is time away from your primary horn. You need to find the balance that works for you. There is a saying from the trumpet community that applies:

The flugel is your friend,
The trumpet is your spouse.
You better keep them straight,
Or you just might lose your house.

[lgb&dtuba]

I don't dissagree with what has been posted so far. But you didn't say if you were planning on going onward to music school and wanting to end up playing tuba in an orchestra.

I think that's an important piece of information that anyone offering answers to your questions should know first. Answers may be quite different depending on your future plans, if you have any.

[iiipopes]

That said, it is one thing to play similar instruments in register, and quite another to play contrasting instruments. Being able to play tubas of various pitches and bass bone, or say trombone/bass bone/euph are, of course, the conventional "doubling" scenario for availability for a wider variety of paying gigs. But with the variance of placement on embouchure, breath support requirements and some technical differences, for more contrasting instruments, say tuba and trumpet, it can be a lot tougher.