A propsed answer to 'pinched sound

[jmerring]

I have been told that my technique is acceptable and that my intonation is right there. The major flaw with my sound is that is seems 'pinched,' to those listening. AHA! My oral cavity is far too small (I can only open it 1" at most.), and that the depth is far too small. I learned this lesson far too late in life, but I know now the source of my 'tight', 'pinched' sound.

[jmerring]

Bloke,

I will give it a try. My teeth only open at most an 1 1/2". My low range seems to be OK with the opening, but my midrange and high and both 'pinched.' I can't open any further (even the dentist has to use a prop to keep my jaw open at mazimum (painful) distance.
Thank you for the advice.

Jim

[Roger Lewis]

I have seen small children get a great sound out of a tuba with no effort. The oral cavity was probably smaller than yours is.

My one question would be -

"Which lip is doing the work"? One lip vibrates against the other. One is the drumsticks and the other is the drum head.

I suspect that you are buzzing the lower lip against the upper, which causes exactly the sound you are describing. Somewhere here on TubeNet I posted the exercises that I have my students do to correct this issue, but I don't know where. Once they make the change, their sounds open up and the resonance increases dramatically.

I may have the excercises on my computer and if you can't locate them and do find that the lower lip is the cuplrit send me a PM and I will get them to you.

All the best to you.

Roger

[jmerring]

Due to facial nerve paralysis, I vibrate only my bottom lip (it's the bad one) for all registers. I try to situate the MP so that I can get a buzz from both lips; but have yet to find it.

Thanks again, Bloke,

Jim

[eupher61]

Given your situation with the facial nerve, it seems that may be much more significant in your tone than your oral cavity. It is probably not unworkable, though...have you tried bigger mouthpieces?

Air is the answer to so many problems. Not muscles, not nerves, not equipment, but air. Efficiency in breathing. Maybe investing $80 in The Breathing Gym would be a big help, even more than changing mouthpieces. Without hearing you in person, it's tough to have specific ideas. But, Breathing Gym will help you in everyday life, too.

[Donn]

... and, really in hopes that it could be somewhat helpful - to the extent there is any good advice waiting out here on Tubenet, it can only help to make up a Subject that conveys in some way the actual topic. This engages the interest of people who are 1) interested in that topic, and 2) too busy to read every single thing on Tubenet, and both of these are essential attributes of the person you're looking for.

[swillafew]

If you can get the receiver end of the mouthpiece between your upper and lower teeth, you are open enough in the teeth to make a characteristic sound on the horn. If you can blow warm air on the palm of your hand, the inner part of the mouth is set up correctly. Good luck.

[jmerring]

Many thanks to those of you that responded (Especially, Bloke) This forum has always risen to my challenges, and helped me.

Jim

[MikeW]

I have no pretensions to expertise in this field,and you haven't mentioned your mouthpiece, so I don't know if this is relevant, but I was once told by an expert that if you can't drop a pencil through your mouthpiece your sound will come out pinched, and you need to get one with a wider throat.

[Donn]

I was once told by an expert that if you can't drop a pencil through your mouthpiece your sound will come out pinched

I bet we could turn up a few tuba players who get an acceptable sound out of the Miraphone C4, or whatever it is in the newer naming scheme (TU23?) That pencil won't go through, and it isn't just a tight fit. Don't listen to "experts" if they aren't on Tubenet!

[MikeW]

I was once told by an expert that if you can't drop a pencil through your mouthpiece your sound will come out pinched

I bet we could turn up a few tuba players who get an acceptable sound out of the Miraphone C4, or whatever it is in the newer naming scheme (TU23?) That pencil won't go through, and it isn't just a tight fit. Don't listen to "experts" if they aren't on Tubenet!

The expert in question was Philip Catelinet. I don't think Tubenet existed in his lifetime ?
There was a discussion of the C4 on Tubenet in 1999, in which one or two of Tubenet's resident experts suggested opening it up to 5/16", which agrees with Mr Catelinet's recommended minimum.

In my personal situation, general opinion on Tubenet seems to be that a compensated EEb gets stuffy at the bottom end if you don't use a mpc with an open throat. Mine seems to be happier with a Denis Wick 3 than with other pieces I've tried, and I don't see any point trying to argue with it.

[Sam Gnagey]

I don't see that any one of my colleagues has come up with my usual diagnosis for loosening up a pinched sound. BTW their suggestions are also quite valid and helpful.
I've found that many players with a thin sound are buzzing into the horn. I know that we were all taught as beginners that you have to buzz your lips to make a sound on a brass instrument. However if your making a nice full sound on the tuba and remove the mouthpiece from the instrument while making that sound you'll find that the chops stop vibrating immediately. There's a coupling that occurs between your air speed, lip apperture and resistance of the instument that causes them to break into vibration. Once that coupling ceases the vibration should stop. If it doesn't you're putting too much muscle effort into making the lips buzz; forcing them together and making the resulting tone quality thin and pinched. Give it a try.
Buzzing on the mouthpiece is good exercise, but not exactly what we're doing when we're playing tuba.

[MikeW]

To shut bloke up just poo-poo him.

But only when he's right.