How to play Tuba sounding like a string-bass?

[Tigertuba]

to get that pizz. sound like a stg. bass has, first start by listening to a stg. bass player, then try to imitate. It's all about creating the resonance and decay of a string being plucked. Using a decrescendo on each note gives the resonance you want.

[Tigertuba]

to get that pizz. sound like a stg. bass has, first start by listening to a stg. bass player, then try to imitate. It's all about creating the resonance and decay of a string being plucked. Using a decrescendo on each note gives the resonance you want.

[Joe Baker]

Knows someone the mystery, to play tuba softly like a plucked string-bass?
Uli

There aren't many things I think I do better than most on tuba, but this is one I consider myself pretty good at, so I'll tell you what I did -- but keep in mind that when it's all said and done I'm a rank amateur.

When I was in college, there was an oscilloscope one of the music profs was using (doing some kind of research on synthesized music). We played all kinds of instruments into it, watching their attacks and decays. For years I had tried to improve my string-bass simulation, so I paid particular attention when the string bass was being played. By watching the attack and decay of the string base, I figured out pretty much how I had to let the note hit, die back quite a bit (to maybe 25%) within about a half second, then let it slowly die back from there for maybe 10 seconds or until you hit the next note. It's a way different way to use your air than you normally would want to do.

I also saw that my attack was too sharp. I had to switch to a much softer, somewhat slower, tongue.

Then, practice it about a zillion times, until it sounds like a string bass. Remember all that stuff everyone is always saying about having the sound concept in your head -- that applies here!
______________________________
Joe Baker, who will trade his string-bass sound for a passable low range.

[brianf]

Instead of using a TA sylable, try hA

[Matt Walters]

Besides practice, get a Conn "Chief" mouthpiece. Sure enough, the Chief model mouthpiece helps get that sound. Of course Conn no longer makes the mouthpiece. You can look for an original, or get a Dillon Chief series. The Chief 1 is the closest to original with a modern rim. If you try to play FF with it, it will back up on you. But then, does a string bass really play FF? The Chief 2 has a little more bite to the sound and lets you still push it hard. Enough shameless plug.

"John Kuhn had the best string bass sound I ever heard. I remember a recording session where they told the string bass to sit out and they had John sit in with the strings becasue he played better." It was something like that Al Lube (trombonist Huston Symphony) told me. I heard such stories before, but since I heard it from a gentleman who was there, I believe it. So a few of those old NBC recordings may have John Kuhn instead of a string bass on the part.

[Tom Holtz]

Whether it's matching the bass pizzicato with the band or keeping time in a combo, I try to sound like a tuba but <I>function</I> like a string bass. I don't know if I'd switch mouthpieces, I would just as soon use the rig I'm comfortable with. Joe Baker pretty much spelled out the technique--not too sharp of an attack, but still a lot of front end on the note, and plenty of decay. Imitation is the best way to learn, and bear in mind that different recording techniques with different basses will give you lots of different recorded results to emulate.

As far as tone production goes, hey, I say keep your best tuba sound turned on all the time. The only tuba player I've heard who <I>really</I> sounded like a bass was Kirk Joseph on the early Dirty Dozen recordings. I'm not sure if he breathed at all on the first two tracks of "Feet Can't Fail Me Now." Dude's got game.

[Leland]

Besides practice, get a Conn "Chief" mouthpiece.

I have an original Chief and a Dillon Chief 1. They are very close and do have a real smooth, velvety sound. Very cool.

FWIW

Aren't those the ones that have a very vee-shaped cup? I've got a B&S 52 (came with my VMI 3302) that follows the same principle, and it works well for a string bass sound.