Possible good prices on Tuba stuff

[Dylan King]

Has anyone noticed any differece in customer service after the merge of WWBW and music123.com?

Just curious. I haven't noticed anything myself.

[JayW]

Well choice of mouthpiece can certainly have an affect on your range, since everyone's facial structure is different (hence so many choices for mpcs). But I would also suggest, before you go dropping a lot of money on a "better mouthpiece" to try a little singing/buzzing/playing to work on your high range. I think you'll be amazed that when you become comfortable singing a note, then its a little easier to buzz it, then its a little easier to play it, I think you get the point. Also, small mouthpiece (rim diameter) does not automatically mean Higher range, but usually a shallower cup (more resistance) can help. Nothing will take the place of being able to sing/buzz the notes though.

Good luck

[tubeast]

Tubachris,
here´s what found out about mouthpieces personally:
As long as You´re not a pro tubist (or at least going all out to become one) the choice of equipment is secondary to your skills, as long as you have access to decent gear. So every once in a while I would try out MPs, often thinking (after a couple of minutes) that I had found one that worked much better for me than my "old" 24AW. Each time I ended up returning to the 24AW in the long run. Last summer I actually DID switch to another MP (PT50+, if you want to know). That one happens to be larger, but somehow I feel more comfortable with it in ALL ranges.
What worked out for ME when I tried to extend my range: I worked on the lowest registers first, playing very softly. From there I started doing slurs on increasing intervals, finally exceeding two octaves. After a while (That´s a matter of weeks, if not months) the high notes came all by themselves.
Hope that is of any help to you. Bear in mind: That worked for ME, not necessarily for others.
Hans