Hello guys and question

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I think a lot of folks are missing the fact that young players who simply haven't spent very much time (relatively speaking, that is) and haven't really developed a strong embouchure tend to get this "blatty" tone when they push to play really loud. There's not going to be an easy fix for this beyond "practice a lot."

Save some money on lessons for now and just play at least an hour every day. It doesn't even matter very much WHAT you play. Just get the horn on your face and try to make the best sounds you can make for an hour an day. Beyond that, patience.

[royjohn]

Todd wrote,

I think a lot of folks are missing the fact that young players who simply haven't spent very much time (relatively speaking, that is) and haven't really developed a strong embouchure tend to get this "blatty" tone when they push to play really loud. There's not going to be an easy fix for this beyond "practice a lot."

Todd, while you make a good point and one I didn't think of, I still think that the main issue here is that the OP has heard from his director and his band mates that they don't like his blatty moments and want him to back off and he hasn't listened. While it's possible that he aspires to be louder to actually help balance his band, the issue is that you should play as loud as you can play musically and leave it at that. You should also be a good team member and listen to the director and your section mates.

I'm sure there are other players who would like more volume, but when getting it produces tones that aren't musical, they back off and take what they can get. Then it's the director's job to work with that and produce a balance. I don't hear this poster saying that the director is asking him for more volume. He's asking for better tone.

[Tuboss2]

Alright, got some replys while I was gone hm? You guys are sure a he** of a helpful bunch.
Ya, I'll save money on a lesson teacher. I don't want one nor need one. I feel like this is something with a little guidance in the right direction I can figure out.
I'll try and work on my control then and really focus on sound full and loud without losing control. I've been really trying to make this a focal point when I practice. Trying to find my limit before I lose control. I honestly don't want to buy anything so would y'all be kind enough to find some free excerpts of some loud tuba players playing around FF-FFF so I can compare what I'm doing to them. And basically use them as my model for my practice? That'd be real nice.

A new mouthpiece you say? I have a Schimdt(spell check) JHDTU gold plated mouth piece. Costed me 80.00 bucks. Could y'all tell me if this mouth piece is alright for me or if I need to upgrade. Thanks guys. Y'all are sure helpful.

[k001k47]

Hence why I'm asking how to do these without blatting but still getting the sound out there).

So, basically, "how do we sound good" in a few words on a message board.

Practice. A lot. Use more air.

+1

[Tuboss2]

Missouri: I might have came off a bit arrogant in that post. Apologies.
What I meant to say is lessons isn't really an option for me as money kinda tight at my residence. So I want all the help I can get without having to invest Into a lesson teacher.

[Heavy_Metal]

I'll second Dan's welcome, Tuboss2!

In order to try and answer your mouthpiece question, I looked it up. Can't find any specs on it, but the illustration looks like it might be a Helleberg type, having a medium-narrow rim and a funnel-shaped cup. These come in different sizes, measure the inside rim diameter of yours in millimeters so we'll have some idea of what you have. How did you come to buy this mouthpiece? Did you try a bunch of different ones?

If you're having trouble getting enough air through the horn, the mouthpiece might be too small. If this is the case, it's placing your lips too close together, which restricts the air flow and can limit your endurance. This was an issue for me back in the day, which I solved by switching from a Bach 18 to a 7 (Bach was pretty much all we could get in that time and place). Every player's facial structure is different, however, so what works for one player might be totally wrong for another.

I'll second the recommendation for private lessons, especially if you can find someone who can help you solve your blatting problem.

Tell us also what make and model tuba(s) you are playing. And, where are you located?

[k001k47]

I'm not sure if its woofy or blatty.......

I'm guessing it's more of a woofy sound........

Woofy Tuba.jpg

Shucks, my sound is woofy at piano.

[bigbob]

[Ya, I'll save money on a lesson teacher. I don't want one nor need one.Why are you here then ??you sound like a cocky teanager who dosent know too much!!but thinks he knows everything! Like me.. but I'm 69 and have taken lessons for 20 years from a pro!! A new mouthpiece you say? I have a Schimdt(spell check) JHDTU gold plated mouth piece. Costed me 80.00 bucks. Could y'all tell me if this mouth piece is alright for me or if I need to upgrade.How would they know what mouthpiece you need? have they listoned to you?? Get a recorder from your high school and LISTON to your self!!?? plug it in give it a tute and liston!!
Welcome to the group! that being said .... Everyone at one time or another need a teacher for at leaste some guidence and if you don't know blatting or how to support your group then you DO need a teacher!!!!These guys are pros and are trying to help you but if you don't liston then what good is there expert advise?!.....................BB

[lowtones425]

Hey Tuboss2. Welcome to the forum.

I have some things for you to consider (IMHO). I'm a college student, and not a professional tuba teacher (yet), but these words are based things I have observed. My apologies if I repeat anything that anybody has said before.

Brass playing shouldn't be "difficult". What I mean by that is that even musical passages that require the most physical effort shouldn't appear to be difficult. One thing that I try to work towards in my playing is making my technique as relaxed and fluid as possible, especially in my face. One thing I admire about orchestral trumpet players is that they often appear to simply have the instrument held up to their face, but the most natural and beautiful sound comes out of the bell. They don't look tense or nervous, and they don't try and force more effort than necessary into the instrument.This translates into tuba playing in a couple ways.

The big one is that in order to make the least amount of unneeded physical exertion with your lungs and face, you must try and give yourself enough time to breathe a slow, full breath of air (This isn't always possible, but if the opportunity to take your time is there I would strongly recommend you take advantage of it). After that has happened, instead of trying to force out as much air as possible in a short, sharp stream, you should put air through your instrument in a broad, warm, and wide column, in order to fill up the tuba and create an enveloping sound. Long tones are great for this, and the focus should be not on volume, but on creating the widest, fullest sound you can. In fact, the dynamic you should start at should be something in the nature of a mezzoforte, then you can not only build into louder dynamics, but you can slip back into softer volumes as well. Perhaps the reason why your sound is blatty is because you're putting in too much unnecessary effort in the wrong way, rather than making less effort efficiently. Try backing off with your attacks, and you might be surprised how much volume you can get and still blend. Beauty of sound beats volume any day.

Do you have Spotify? If you don't I would highly recommend downloading it, as it gives you free access to a GIGANTIC collection of music and audio from any genre you could think of. Once you get it, you can listen to the work of a guy named Gene Pokorny, who is the current principal tuba of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has a CD called "Orchestral Excerpts for Tuba", which is in the Spotify library. This cd is amazing, and his playing is one of the best examples of what tuba playing should sound like.

I was in your shoes once, I had never taken private lessons, and was skeptical of their value in relation to their price. Trust me when I say that they are a critical investment for your development as a musician, and as a tuba player. I wasn't all that responsible in High School, and wasn't very aware of the importance of private instruction and practicing, even though I ended up taking somewhat sporadic lessons with a trombone player. When I first started taking weekly lessons with an actual tuba player (a recently graduated college student), I found that I was sorely behind in terms of knowing the basics of how to play the instrument. God bless that teacher, because he was patient enough to spend an entire year working to get basic concepts through my thick skull, and because he was an efficient teacher, I was able to audition successfully for the college program that I am now enrolled in. Kudos to my current teacher as well, because he has assisted not only with tuba playing, but he has helped me to gain confidence in my studies, and my preparation to become a professional musician. It's up to you, but I would definitely consider lessons if you intend to play tuba at the highest level you can.

Hope some of this helps.

[Mark]

Ya, I'll save money on a lesson teacher. I don't want one nor need one.

Nevermind.

[Euphtub]

Nobody has asked this yet:

Where do you live?

I've had students mow my lawn and weed my flower beds when money was tight.

That's how I paid for lessons 8th-10th grade.

-Michael

[Euphtub]

Based on the flippant attitude of the OP it would probably do him some good.

[Ken Herrick]

Where does he live????
In somebody's imagination.......
The Phantom strikes again......
Cornfield time!!

[Tuboss2]

Man y'all are replying this quicker then I thought. I thought after the 2nd page tjis thread would die boy I was wrong.

Anyways, might have came off a bit stubborn so ya, like I said earlier,my apologies.

I live in Texas. Where, well if I really have to tell y'all, then I will.
Hm, what else to say, lessons, they will probably come some where later down the road. Ya.

So in class today, was playing, director said Tubas were too loud during warmups and all. Nothing about blatting or making uncharacteristic sounds. So hm, looks like I sorta of getting the hang of. Just focusing on taking huge breaths. And moving lots of air. Apparently I have realized(my director has gotten on me about it as well) that I loosen my jaw at times which therefore makes everything Flat. Gotta work on keep my embouchure tight(well not so tight I can't breathe lol, but just keep everything in place). Any tips on how I can do that?

[Tuboss2]

Man y'all are replying this quicker then I thought. I thought after the 2nd page tjis thread would die boy I was wrong.

Anyways, might have came off a bit stubborn so ya, like I said earlier,my apologies.

I live in Texas. Where, well if I really have to tell y'all, then I will.
Hm, what else to say, lessons, they will probably come some where later down the road. Ya.

So in class today, was playing, director said Tubas were too loud during warmups and all. Nothing about blatting or making uncharacteristic sounds. So hm, looks like I sorta of getting the hang of. Just focusing on taking huge breaths. And moving lots of air. Apparently I have realized(my director has gotten on me about it as well) that I loosen my jaw at times which therefore makes everything Flat. Gotta work on keep my embouchure tight(well not so tight I can't breathe lol, but just keep everything in place). Any tips on how I can do that?

[Tuboss2]

Man y'all are replying this quicker then I thought. I thought after the 2nd page this thread would die boy I was wrong.

Anyways, might have came off a bit stubborn so ya, like I said earlier,my apologies.

I live in Texas. Where, well if I really have to tell y'all, then I will.
Hm, what else to say, lessons, they will probably come some where later down the road. Ya.

So in class today, was playing, director said Tubas were too loud during warmups and all. Nothing about blatting or making uncharacteristic sounds. So hm, looks like I sorta of getting the hang of. Just focusing on taking huge breaths. And moving lots of air. Apparently I have realized(my director has gotten on me about it as well) that I loosen my jaw at times which therefore makes everything Flat. Gotta work on keep my embouchure tight(well not so tight I can't breathe lol, but just keep everything in place). Any tips on how I can do that?

[Tuboss2]

Whoops. I thought my message wasn't posted successfully so I might have abused the submit button a bit. Sorry guys, noob mistake I know.

[Euphtub]

I figured it was Texas based upon the "WOHOO MARCHING BAND" plug. Lol

I remember my days on the blacktop parking lot with a sousaphone at 110° in the West Texas heat…it sucked.

I'm in dfw…if you live nearby and want to mow my yard for lessons. PM me.

-Michael

[Tuboss2]

Well, I thought of another thing I didn't tell you before: your jaw my not be the issue by itself.
When your jaw drops maybe your mouthpiece moves down too. Also what really maters most is
the corners of your mouth where they show outside the MP. They shouldn't smile, they shouldn't frown,
they should stay neutral most of the time until you peddle of sing in the soprano range.
Do you have a horn at home ? Playing right now would be better then typing !

Nope. And taking my instrument home only to have to bring back the next day is sort of a hassle. So I practice at school unless we're on extended breaks like Winter break or Spring break or something like that. Then I take it home. Thanks for your tips though. I'll try to focus on that, a long with my loud playing. Best of both worlds haha.

[k001k47]

Man y'all are replying this quicker then I thought. I thought after the 2nd page this thread would die boy I was wrong.

Anyways, might have came off a bit stubborn so ya, like I said earlier,my apologies.

I live in Texas. Where, well if I really have to tell y'all, then I will.
Hm, what else to say, lessons, they will probably come some where later down the road. Ya.

So in class today, was playing, director said Tubas were too loud during warmups and all. Nothing about blatting or making uncharacteristic sounds. So hm, looks like I sorta of getting the hang of. Just focusing on taking huge breaths. And moving lots of air. Apparently I have realized(my director has gotten on me about it as well) that I loosen my jaw at times which therefore makes everything Flat. Gotta work on keep my embouchure tight(well not so tight I can't breathe lol, but just keep everything in place). Any tips on how I can do that?

Well, if it isn't already obvious, TubeNet is a very strange place. Take a lot of words with a grain of salt,and remember that it's all in good fun and making funny noises into the mouthpiece . Music is an art of sound.