How to start playing the tuba?

michael_glenn · Post by **michael_glenn** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:05 pm

If you're looking for a decent CC tuba that won't break the bank, get a Mack Brass 410. 5 rotary CC. It's a good tuba.

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:32 pm

Thanks, bighonkintuba, scottw, michael_glenn, and The Big Ben:

1. I think an Eb tuba is an excellent idea. I will keep it in mind. The lowest note, with all the tubing used, would be a tritone below Eb: A. That's pretty good. And I don't need to put out a huge amount of sound. One of the main reasons I want to play tuba is that my bite is not good for playing the trombone. I can't get a compact airstream because I have a large overbite. So I can't play up into the high register on the trombone. The airstream just gets choked off. I can't get a centered airstream directed downwards at all. But I have a good lower register. I started playing wind instruments on the flute in 5th grade. I have a nice sound on the flute but can't play in the high register on that either. Tuba appealed to me because I could play fundamentals, and I like the tone color. The Eb horn will be nice because it will have a brighter, more focused, melodic type of sound, and will be versatile for both ensemble and melodic playing.

2. I just read this, which was a fascinating history of the tuba: http://www.georgepalton.com/uploads/9/3 ... e_tuba.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

3. I will keep the CC tuba in mind, but I now think it's really too big. I will plan to use a playing stand. Weight of instruments has been an issue for me, so a playing stand is a great idea.

4. I really appreciate everything that people have said. This is a wonderful tool to have--this forum. Thank you, all.

P.S. I am really a jazz player at heart, though I love classical music. So an Eb tuba might make it easier for me to play jazz in small groups or duos, such as with the vibraphones, or the standard rhythm section + horns. I like the tuba's sound better than that of the trombone. It's more expansive, and it's richer--I hope I can play it! I feel like the trombone is for shouting, projection, and cutting through; the tuba is for singing, and for musical talking. It has a fascinating, darkness-infused history, too, which is fun. [No offense to the trombone--just a rough analogy.]

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:38 am

Here's a man using the F tuba to play jazz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvflefgi030" target="_blank

I like the sound, but the sound is much smaller than a lower pitched tuba. It's softer and gentler.

The tuba is a lot more portable. It's a lot smaller, too. I like that.

I like this one too. The tubist plays an F tuba:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVNTkXkIrbY" target="_blank

It's Parable 12 for Tuba by Vincent Persichetti.

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:59 am

B flat tuba:

I love the bigness of this sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZW3WS0ngpM" target="_blank" target="_blank

I just love it. That's what I would play tuba for...

I love the weight of this sound.

[Now, I wonder if I could carry it. Maybe a plastic B flat tuba?]

I remember the tuba I played was a B flat tuba. I liked the sound of it. Would not have wanted a smaller sound.

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:45 am

I love this big sound: another Bb tuba performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1yTzZS9B4" target="_blank

Beautiful CC Tuba playing. I think I like the tone colors of the CC tuba. I think being centered on the key of C has many advantages. Basically you are 2 steps from the B flat tuba on the circle of fifths. I love the open sound on the note of C. I always wished the trombone could do that. I think the trombone sounds best in the keys of B flat, E flat, etc. It doesn't sound as good in the keys of C, G, and D major etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQcCX_LOpU0" target="_blank

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:05 am

At 8 minutes, this guy talks about some differences between CC and B flat tuba:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGqdAOegDEM" target="_blank

hup_d_dup · Post by **hup_d_dup** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:07 am

Aaron, I love your enthusiasm and diligence, but you are over-thinking this whole thing. Just get ANY tuba that works and is affordable … whatever your opinions about tubas are now, they are going to change … you can't possibly do enough research to get the perfect tuba.

Through no fault of your own, you are not even asking the right questions. Once you start playing you will learn that ergonomics is VERY important. That has nothing to do with if the instrument is in Bb or C. It must be comfortable. Also, who cares about the difference in sound between a Bb and C? When you start playing they both will be bad. To make either of them sound good, you have to learn how to control your breathing and embouchure, which you can only do through playing, not research.

Time for you to dive in. No more research. Do it.

Good luck.

Hup

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:14 am

Completely agree.

Also, you want a "beater." Not just because of lower initial investment, also because you aren't going to want to carry a tuba around in its case. That's a heavy, awkward combination even for the large, robust individuals.

Three Valves · Post by **Three Valves** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:46 am

bloke wrote: The only "BBb" rental tubas that I know of are these:

http://www.musicrentalcentral.com/tuba_ ... gQodcLEApg

https://www.musicrentalcentral.com/mari ... to_own.htm" target="_blank

Isn't that almost $4,800 for tuba I can buy for $995.00 + tax and shipping from Dillon??

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:08 pm

To sum up all the above, most folks learning to play tuba as an adult play in either community band or a small jazz ensemble. Most folks get a BBb tuba, something along the lines of a King 1241 or Miraphone 186, or other similar instruments of similar size, a fingering chart, and go for it.

All tubas, irrespective of their foundational pitch, are concert pitch notation bass clef instruments, which is the conventional notation for orchestra and American concert band literature. We see the pitch, and we figure out which valve(s) to push to make that note, whatever tuba we play.

Yes, to play better in tune in the lower register, a BBb tuba with 4 valves, (1+3=4) or a CC tuba with 5 valves (low F below open CC is fingered 4+T for thumb) is preferable.

The conventional wisdom used to be look for a good used instrument of a reputable name brand. Now, the Chinese do have some good new instruments available for $2k -$3k. But still work with a reputable shop, and there are many.

I tend to overthink, so I can recognize it a mile away. The only question is which note do you prefer to play as the open valve note? Then get that tuba. Keep in mind that if you join a community band, much of the literature is written in flat keys because many of the instruments have Bb as their fundamental pitch, so open and simple valve combinations can be used. With a CC tuba, you will be using your 3rd valve much more as the flat keys will need the 2+3 combination much more for Eb and Ab, common keys for concert band literature. If you get an Eb tuba, unless you consistently take low passages up an octave, you may find you are using the 4th valve so much that your pinky gets sore.

The bottom line of all this digression: we're all pointing at you getting a BBb 4-valve tuba.

The Big Ben · Post by **The Big Ben** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:21 pm

You are already a musician so the "reading the notes" and rhythm should be the easy part. You might get some benefit from a tuba player teacher to coach you with the embouchure and breathing to get you started with a minimum of bad habits.

Heavy_Metal · Post by **Heavy_Metal** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:21 pm

As long as we're making recommendations, I'll mention Baltimore Brass, which is located just to the west of Baltimore. From Philly it's probably the same distance as Dillon's. They usually have a very good selection of tubas, both new and used. Check them out here:

http://www.baltimorebrass.net/" target="_blank

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:04 am

Sounds good!

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:51 am

Thanks to all--I'll get a beater tuba, B flat, 4 valves--how about his one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-Bb-tuba-wit ... 3641.l6368" target="_blank

Three Valves · Post by **Three Valves** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:52 am

That's good, you can train yourself to be a repair tech and play the tuba at the same time!!

michael_glenn · Post by **michael_glenn** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:12 am

I would not suggest that horn. You would be better off with an old four valve King for a starter horn.

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:05 pm

I have to guess that "how about this one" wasn't intended to be taken seriously, but taking the rest of it seriously, the old four valve King you're talking about is probably bigger and heavier than he wants. Though as has been pointed out, ergonomics isn't necessarily that simple.

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:31 pm

I was serious, actually...the point being that I could get it fixed up if it were a nice instrument...but it was also a feeler.
Appreciate the feedback as always. I am hoping to find a used tuba for sale so I don't have to go to a store.

aaronliu · Post by **aaronliu** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:34 pm

I shouldn't worry about weight. I can leave it at home if my gig will supply a tuba. If not, I will just carry it. It will be good weight training. And I'll play with a stand. Can't get the sound I want without a big instrument. So I am in the market for a stand, too. Will take the first reasonable deal that comes along for either a tuba or a stand.

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:13 pm

Going to a store would be very informative.

When g.mu6 says that's an "old" tuba, he means it. Well, I guess he doesn't really know how old it is, but it's an old style with clockspring valves. He hopes it's old, because if so that would be the only thing about it that would possibly be of value. The fourth valve is broken. Slides are frozen. There's a bad dent in the leadpipe, the first length of tube that connects to the mouthpiece receiver -- dents aren't always a big deal, but that one is very bad. The tuba is in Germany.

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How to start playing the tuba?

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