Bore Sizes

[MaryAnn]

A larger bore will require more air; you likely don't have all your growth yet. Unless you are a really big guy already....you might not want to make a huge jump in bore size. Especially if you don't have a private teacher, you could get in bad habits trying to play a large bore tuba. I'd suggest finding a local pro to give you lessons first, and then ask that person what s/he would recommend for a tuba for you.

MA

[TubaRay]

Welcome to TubeNet, YammieBlaster! This is a place where one can learn a lot about tubas and such. I know I have.

As for your choosing a tuba, which one you choose depends on factors that I'm not sure any of us know well enough to advise you. In my opinion, the Miraphone 186 is an excellent all-around tuba. I have owned one for many years, and use it extensively. In the area of mouthpieces, you have a LOT of choices. I'm not sure I know what a Conn Helleberg 18 is. As far as the larger the number, the deeper the sound goes, that may or may not be true, depending on the manufacturer. Some of the more standard mouthpieces available are: Conn Helleberg(regular & 7B), Bach 18, and Perantucci 36. I'm not necessary saying these are the best mouthpieces available, but they would make good standard referencing points in a quest for which one is best for you.

My advise would be to follow Mary Ann's advise--find a competent teacher. Take at least a few lessons. Let your teacher give you further advice. If that isn't possible, perhaps you can find other, experienced tuba players in your area who might be helpful.

[Ken Herrick]

If the "Couesnon 73775 C tuba" is actually a 'C' (CC) tuba you might as well stick with a CC. If that is what you are looking for a good used Mirafone 186 CC would make a good choice. They are fairly common, with some coming available in the for sale section here regularly, and would be a good investment dollar wise as well as making a good all round instrument for long term use.

Going for a BIG tuba could saddle you with something harder to develop your skills on - especially for 'solo' work as you will pretty well need to do should you ever want to go on to university level. It seems to me a that a lot of players fall into the trap of getting enormous tubas with the idea of being able to make monstrous amounts of noise only to find they need a smaller (as in F bass tuba) to be able to play with any finesse and do any "solo" work.

Get a good teacher and practice a lot. I would suspect that coming from a trumpet playing background you may have been taught some less than great breathing routines. (Maybe, see my recent post about No cost breathing lessons). Then maybe try spending a summer at some place like Interlochen.

Welcome, and good luck.

[iiipopes]

A larger bore will require more air; you likely don't have all your growth yet. Unless you are a really big guy already....you might not want to make a huge jump in bore size. Especially if you don't have a private teacher, you could get in bad habits trying to play a large bore tuba. I'd suggest finding a local pro to give you lessons first, and then ask that person what s/he would recommend for a tuba for you. MA

Not necessarily. The expansion of the leadpipe from mouthpiece throat, mouthpiece backbore, then receiver to full bore as the breath transitions from Bernoulli principle to setting up the pitches which are resonated, through to static wave theory, are what determine the efficiency and air requirements. Also look for threads that compare the tubas with interchangable leadpipes, like the Neptune, and how people describe the different "blow" on each pipe.

New Miraphone 186 tubas have a larger taper leadpipe than mine does, but the same bore and valve block and general geometry. The new horns definitely take more air than mine does, and are "freer blowing" than the old ones, but not so much so that a person with moderate abilites can grow and develop on one until for reasons of performance direction or personal desire a different tuba is indicated.

I echo the 186. A good all-round workhorse that will serve you well until you decide on a focus and purchase other tubas accordingly.