tuba recommendations

[sailn2ba]

Kendra, You mentioned that you some ideas and that your student would be trying out some horns. It would interesting to know how that worked out.

[jonesbrass]

If they are wanting to do performance, the professor will probably want them on a CC and eventually an F......

Used 186 or 188 would be great...or the PT 6P on ebay would be a horn that could last.....of course a Miraphone 1291...larger horn but not too large as Bob said.....

I heavily do not reccomend a Willson or anyother BAT till they master the CC and the size difference if they want a larger one

I think Rick hit the nail on the head, but I would add that as a developing student, the important thing is to pay your dues in the practice room and ensembles. Personally, I think the dues are best paid on a contrabass, for this reason:

When I train for something I like to use the heavy weights... When you take them off, everything feels light.

and the fact that developing air, tone concept, and clean playing on a contrabass will definitely make everything easier. I don't necessarily agree that it should be a 6/4, though. a 6/4 won't necessarily be appreciated by the player or ensemble in many situations (ie. brass quintet, solos, etc.). IMHO, there is nothing wrong on sticking with the 4/4 BBb, assuming you've been playing BBb since HS, but not everyone else thinks the same. Until you've paid your dues on one horn well enough to truly master the fundamentals, I wouldn't even worry about a (CC/F/EEb) horn, FWIW.

[ztuba]

K&M tuba stands are for people who can't lift the heavy tubas... I don't lift mine ... I use the stand. Does anyone know if Chester played that solo on his 6/4 cc tuba or was that just someone blowing smoke that told me that?

[BavarianFanfare]

I am a 37 year old man and I use a tuba stand. For me, a stand is good for establishing good posture. For one, I have big hips, a big waist, and am just plain robust. I have never found a chair that was a good fit with my horn or any horn. I have used and use the DEG and K&M stands. I like both, but seem to prefer the DEG due to its compact, portable design, with a bag. If someone knows of a really good square, well padded chair that is portable, I would like to know. I know that Wenger makes many different kinds of chairs, stands, and other related products. Would this be one place to start? For a student, if there are posture issues, I recommend a stand. My humble opinion. Merry Christmas to all!

[Rick Denney]

I like both, but seem to prefer the DEG due to its compact, portable design, with a bag.

FYI: The Baltimore Brass stand has the compact size of the DEG (and will fit in a DEG bag), but the strength and sturdiness of the K&M.

Rick "whose DEG stand failed under the weight of a heavy tuba" Denney

[BavarianFanfare]

Mr. Denney:

I'll check it out. Thank you.

[ztuba]

My first tuba stand was a deg... IT FAILED under the weight of a miraphone... I hate them... don't waste your cash on DEG satands! Nothing sucks worse than setting the play height and then having to deal with your horn getting lower and lower and lower ... during a recording session.... It sucks!