OK, But Which One?

[Waltski]

Maybe it's just me, but I would hate to get tuba lesions...

[Steve Inman]

Maybe it's just me, but I would hate to get tuba lesions...

now now ... around here, we usually do not deduct style points for spelling ...

[Steve Inman]

Ok, so sounds like i should go with a CC Miraphone 5 rotary valve? And figure out the size (sooo many reccomendations!)

[snip]

But as far as trying before buying, that's pretty much out of the question. I haven't found any local music stores that carry the tubas I'm looking for.

[snip]

THANK YOU all for the replies, now i know what direction I'm headed in.
Erica

For a first tuba, you can't go wrong with Miraphone. But there are lots of other good options.
For a first tuba, buy a USED tuba -- either from a reputable shop, or with the assistance of someone who can provide "expert" help.
Advice often heard 'round these parts is a 5V CC Miraphone 186 or 188 for a good, all-around horn. For a bit larger Miraphone, rotary CC, there's the "Bruckner" model (291 CC) -- but it's very unlikely to be found used, since it is a new model.

Regarding "trying before buying" -- if you can afford $4000 - $5000 for a decent used tuba, then it's worth considering a cheap Southwest Airlines ticket to fly to a good tuba store to try a whole bunch of tubas as part of the education process. (This is one advantage of choosing a brand/model like a Miraphone 186CC or 188CC, however -- most of these play very consistently -- well. Some on this board would consider buying a Miraphone without play-testing first. Not sure that *I* would, but there is a good measure of confidence with this brand.)

Regarding BBb vs CC, I have played both the Miraphone 186BBb and Miraphone 186CC, and liked the sound of both horns. I did experience that the 186CC seemed a bit easier for me to play cleanly/quickly in the upper register -- in the range common for quintet music, but less so for high school concert band. I would call this the "more responsive" characteristic that is claimed to exist for CC, compared with BBb, but YMMV.

A few more random thoughts.

[TUBAD83]

I would take private lessons, but I can't say I can afford it right now. Yeah, maybe for a few months after saving up. But this means putting off purchasing a tuba. And I don't want to ask my parents because I already do so much (I play hockey... pretty expensive). Which is why I am saving to buy a tuba myselfe.

Everything I've learned on tuba is from either noodling and figuring things out myselfe and playing with different people. A previous band director taught me the embochure and how to breath more efficiently, everything else, i have figured out myselfe or asked friends. I think it's going alright so far.

Thanks x]
<< nevermind that it's puffing it's cheeks and chest breathing... x]

Erica,

I strongly urge you to take private lessons first before buying a tuba and here is why:

1) You will learn more about your instrument, develop a good foundation that you can build on when you go to college,and learn more about being a musician, not just a "tuba player". This will also help you become a better informed buyer when you are ready to buy your first horn.

2) I did not take lessons in high school, even though I had the opportunity to do so. I had to play "catch up" when I got to college and that was NOT fun, trust me. University music programs are much more competitive now, so you want to be as well prepared as possible.

Better to show up to school a competent young musician, ready to learn more and not have a horn, than to show up with a great tuba but struggling to keep up. Think about it and good luck!

JJ

[DevilDog-2013]

goodgigs: I have actually gone to the Down In Valley tuba fest! I whent after only playing tuba for 3 months! My band director convinced me to go right after he convinced me to play tuba. I LOVED it! The music was way over my head at that point but I had a blast and learned ALOT! Pretty much lost contact with that director and I don't have any of the information anymore. So I stopped going. But I think I'll google it and go this year now that I have a few years under my belt. I believe it's in the spring.
Julian Dixon also came to our school one day and played with the director. And he organized the DITV tuba fest, so I have met him. I would kill (not literaly) to take lessons from him! Or and other tuba player like that for the matter. Haha... Do you go to the DITV fest?

[DevilDog-2013]

Whoa!!! That's awesome!!!! Yeah, that definetly wasn't the year I went, I would have remebered that. haha. How does it sound? And what made you want a horn like that? haha.

And I will look him up. Thanks x]

And wow, THANK YOU, this is what I have been trying to say all along. I'm learning like that now. I wasn't that great in middle school, tone was there, volume was not (yeah, it was my first year, but still.) And then I went to preseason and pretty much got hit in the face by how much I had to learn. Forget hitting the ground running, I fell on my face a few times, but now I really have taken it to the next level in my musical ability. I'm surrounded by amazing lowbrass players now and have improve SO much it's not even funny. I never dreamt I would play like this, let alone make an honor band. I've learned so much from just playing with them that I don't feel the need to take private lessons.

thanks you

[tubainty]

I'm sorry to point this out but "lesson" is not the same word as "lesion"... Also there is no 'e' in myself... I apologize for being a spelling nazi

[Casey Tucker]

Hi,
I'll second the lesson suggestion for a couple reasons:
1.) If you're switching from Bb to CC then the transition will inevitably be a little awkward. A private instructor will help guide you and give you advice on how to properly play the new instrument. It'll save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
2.) Aside from giving you playing advice, they will help you find an instrument that truly fits your needs. Most instrument sales departments will be straight with you but I'm sure there's one out there that will try and push you the newest and the shiniest.

Since you're in CA, when it comes time for you to buy, take the trip out to the horn guys (hornguys.com) and play everything they have in stock. I LOVE my PT20 but if I were in the market for a 4/4 right now I would definitely check out one of the new kantsul 4/4 york replicas. Good luck!

-CT

[Bob Kolada]

Also there is no 'e' in myself

Incorrect.

[tubainty]

Also there is no 'e' in myself

Incorrect.

ARRGH! Rather there is but ONE 'e' in myself. There, much better.

[DevilDog-2013]

yeah... I fail at spelling... i know