Trombone strengthening range?

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Zoop Soup
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Trombone strengthening range?

Post by Zoop Soup »

I was curious if anyone had experience playing where playing trombone would assist in the high range of tuba (high D-Bb and beyond) not just in sound quality but dexterity of note changes, partial switches, etc. Thanks for the input, if this is a question that has been previously answered I apologize
Zoop Soup
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Re: Trombone strengthening range?

Post by Zoop Soup »

lost wrote:Playing both semi regularly I'd theorize the top of the staff Bb for tuba takes about as much strength for me to hit as a above the staff D on trombone. Its different for everyone no doubt but if I were to try to make the comparison for myself I'd start there.
Do you think the playing of both could help the playing range of one another? Of course paired with exercises on both
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Tom Mason
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Re: Trombone strengthening range?

Post by Tom Mason »

Hear me out, please.

If you want to use trombone to make your tuba range expand, then by all means practice your high range on trombone to help strengthen your embouchure, as long as you don't forsake your tuba low range. Whatever muscles you use need to be strengthen both directions.

If you are looking to make a habit of playing trombone as well as tuba, then also consider your mouthpiece selection for each instrument and the range you plan on living in.

As I play tuba as a bass line mostly in jazz/Dixieland, I tend to play low range materials. (Yes, the high range works and is useful, but I tend to hear things in low range terms.) I tend to want to change mouthpieces for when selections call for f and above work. When I play trombone, (have masters in bass trombone); I tend to use a mouthpiece that helps me focus air.
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Tubaryan12
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Re: Trombone strengthening range?

Post by Tubaryan12 »

I've been playing euphonium for the last few years in a community band. Yes, playing more euphonium (on a trombone sized mouthpiece) has helped my tuba high range, which was never good, but much improved since I started playing euphonium once a week.
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