Who Needs 4 Valves!!!

[Chuck Jackson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ANK5vo2 ... re=related" target="_blank

This kid is PRETTY DARN GOOD. Check out his horn!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7eNzorw ... re=related" target="_blank

What music on an absolute piece of junk.

Chuck"maybe less is more"Jackson

[Lew]

It does look like a 21J, but the bell looks smaller than those that were standard on the 21Js. It looks like it is a 2XJ body with a replacement bell.

[k001k47]

I guess it's just a tubists mentality. "Maybe all these valves will help me play in tune(they sort of do)." Seriously, what other instruments have six valves?

[tbn.al]

Give me a thumb and ring finger kicker for 1 and 3 like the trumpets have and I won't need but 3 valves either. False tones forever!

[Chuck Jackson]

Gotta love a 12 year kid who consisitently pops off Pedal BBb's.

Chuck"impressed"Jackson

[bbocaner]

Look at the last name, that's got to be the brother of that 11-year-old girl who plays the hell out of the trumpet! Those parents have got to be doing something right!

[The Big Ben]

I believe I have met this young man. He was at Seattle TubaChristmas and at Seatec.

"Norm In Bellevue", who posts here, knows much more about him.

That is a 21J. He found it in a closet at his church and thought he might like to play it. There is nothing wrong with his horn- it's in good order with just the 'usual' dents in it. I think it does have a Conn upright bell on it.

I didn't realize he was 12. He's a decent young man and has some skill. Probably be best to spend money on lessons and gas in the car than to get a 'better' horn.

[Chuck Jackson]

Probably be best to spend money on lessons and gas in the car than to get a 'better' horn.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It just goes to prove that it's not always the horn. If a 12 YO kid can make a 21J sound that good, imagine how he will sound on it when he has 3 years of lessons under his belt. In time, he may outgrow it, but just keep the kid going in the right direction and his "voice" will come through on ANY instrument.

Chuck

[tubatom91]

looks like an old Martin upright bell, my college has a 4 valve Martin with an upright bell on it. It's far less drastic of a flare with equal length and "close" bell collar.

[k001k47]

In time, he may outgrow it

The 21J is a whole lotta horn to outgrow.

[Wyvern]

I am impressed a 12 year old tubist playing with no music. No reason why the Seattle kid should outgrow the Conn, which does not look, or sound like junk. From my little experience with such tubas, it is excellent for band playing (but 3 valves would be rather limiting for serious orchestral use)

I guess that rotary Eb being played in Russia is an old St.Pete, or Cerveny - anyone know?

Both examples well illustrate that it is the player, rather than the value of tuba which matters most - something we do need reminding in our equipment obsessed modern world!

[pwhitaker]

In the past 6 years I've played and owned a brand new 5 valve BBb 1291, an older 4 valve BBb 5/4 Rudy and 3 really old (54, 69, 72 years) 3 valve BBb BAT's - Conn 20J, Holton and Martin Mammoth. All 5 of these horns have very accurate intonation. The false tones on all of the BAT's are just as clear and solid as their 4th and 5th valve equivalents on the first 2 horns mentioned above. They - the false tones - are also slightly quicker in response and a little easier for me to play in tune. I'm not a 'serious orchestral' player but I perform in public very frequently with one of the BAT's now in various Trad jazz groups. If I were still playing brass quintets I would use one of the 3 valve horns without hesitation ( I used Eb horns for over 25 years in the Maine Brass Quintet and 195th Army Band). The total cost to me for the 3 BAT's was less than what either the 1291 or Rudy cost. ... The Conn that the 12 year old was playing did not look or sound like junk to me.

[Chuck Jackson]

Ladies and Gentlmen of the TNFJ:

Please look at my post closely. I in no way inferred, nor did I state, that the 21J is junk. I think it is one of the best tubas out there. AND, I stated that he MAY outgrow it. Emphasis on the MAY. The horn I was referring to as junk was the St. Pete 3 valve EEb that gentleman from Russia was playing. It is junk, hands down, BUT it is a testament to the PLAYER that he sounds so good. BTW, I have owned that very same model, it is junk, it is now a fountain in my back yard.

Remember, words mean things, and any more than a cursory glance at them with out trying to understand the spirit of them has lead great nations to war. Read closely, then make a judgement.

I think the kid plays brilliantly. I think the Conn 2xxx series are GREAT instruments. I hope that reading becomes more than a passing fancy.

Chuck"who's not surprised by the spin on this post"Jackson

[bort]

Nice! I hadn't even started playing tuba at 12 years old. This kid is on a good track!

[rodgeman]

Chuck,

Thanks for posting it. I play a Conn 20J as the only tuba I own. I went to tuba because I was lent another Conn 20J and it spoke to me. I love the horn and am glad it is getting a little more exposure. Thanks also for your clarification post. I did not take your first posts as anything other than not everyone needs more than 3 valves. It is the player and a good horn.

Thanks again!

[Paul Scott]

Kudos to this young man-12 years old and playing like that? The main thing is that even at his young age he is a MUSICIAN and he'll sound good on whatever he'll happen to play. He'll make sure of it.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I am impressed a 12 year old tubist playing with no music.

No one has told him yet that memorizing music is "hard."

[The Big Ben]

I am impressed a 12 year old tubist playing with no music.

No one has told him yet that memorizing music is "hard."

Hear, hear...

It's kind of like memorizing poetry... You get the words lined up with a beat and it's not hard...

[tubatooter1940]

The young man in the second video is playing a Russian tuba exactly like the one I bought in Vladivostok for $10.
I hate the horn and relegated it to a wall hanging but I must admit that if I got the thing really warmed up and got enough valve oil on those three clanky rotary valves, the thing gradually became quite playable.
After putting up with valve parts falling on the floor during a gig, I replaced it with a 1940 King Eb. Heavy horn but a good player.
toots

[Norm in Bellevue]

Clayton Dungey is a student of Ryan Schultz. His mom is a pro violinist and fine pianist. Dad is a former public school music educator, trumpet and euphonium player. Dad and son play TubaChristmas together. But the scary musician in the family is younger sister, Natalie, a brilliant young trumpet player.

Sorry to disappoint you 3 valve fans. Word has it that Mom and Dad are buying a new CC tuba for Clayton.