Middle schooler buying a tuba?

[Samcai8]

Hello,
Right now, I'm going into 8th grade and am wanting to buy a tuba. My school's tubas are quite old and have valve/tuning slide/ etc. problems. I've found a nice silver King 2341 for about $5.5k online. "Excellent" condition.
I'm almost certain that I'm going to keep playing tuba on through highschool and college. I tried out for Tennessee's Junior All-West band this year and made 3rd chair Blue band. (Two high schoolers got above me) I feel like I'm getting pretty good for my age.
My dad is thinking about whether it's a good idea to buy a tuba because I'm only in middle school, though. I know not many people buy a tuba at this age...
So do you guys think it's a good idea?

[Ken Crawford]

Nothing wrong with buying a tuba. $5500 is a little high for a 2341. There are a couple in the for sale section for less. You should also give Wessex or Mack brass a look. Lots of tuba for the $.

[TheGoyWonder]

Bring an older tuba player with you when you try...the very talented 8th grader in my community band bought a dud this spring. It's hard not to get caught up in new-horn excitement at any age, but a buddy will help.

OTOH it's a short wait to high school, where they might be better equipped and you'll do most of your playing on a sousaphone anyways. You don't even need a practice horn in HS because you'll typically have the concert horn at home in fall and the sousa in spring.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Do you study privately? If so, have your dad talk to your teacher about that. If you don't study privately, maybe you should consider doing that before even thinking about buying a tuba.....
Best of luck...
Mark

[RobHanson]

If you do decide to go ahead and as I take it you are in in Tennessee I would suggest you speak to Bloke at Mid South Music. Always has access to some great tubas and is a straight guy to deal with and he works out of Memphis. He is also a sponsor on here.

Other than that head North to Just For Brass in Lousville, again a good dealer and they stock a very good selection of new and used.

[swillafew]

Older instruments can be great deals. If you are willing to spend that much, search the repair people in your area (you will want to meet some soon enough) and see if they can help you in your hunt. You could buy a fine horn on that budget.

[Ricko]

Couple of suggestions...

It is best to wait until you get closer to your final height, etc. to buy a horn.

Talk with your band director/private instructor before dropping significant $$ - they are probably pretty excited to have a motivated, talented student and might be 'up to something' they can't discuss (i.e. repairs, new horns, etc.).

You might also suggest that instead of the expected donation to the boosters that you be allowed to take the horn to Mid South Music in Williston, TN and pay for the repairs. Joe (Bloke on TubeNet) is a master tech and a great tuba player. Many people (me included) drive HOURS to have him work on their horns. Keep in mind summer is a very busy time in the repair business... This way you get a more acceptable horn for the school year until you are presented different options in high school.

Good luck

Ricko

[tubacharlie]

Before you buy make sure you play them. It's very important that you play as many makes and models of tubas you can to see what one is best for you. My opinion is to wait before you spend that amount of money on a tuba. Most school horns will work fine for you at your stage of learning. Invest in lessons that would be your best investment
Tuba Charlie

[Steve Marcus]

Nearly every day, someone visits or calls the piano store where I work looking for a piano for a child (or an adult, for that matter) saying something similar to:

"I don't know how long (s)he will stick with the piano..."
"I'm not a concert pianist..."
"(S)he is so busy with other activities..."

If anyone at any age is serious enough about any musical instrument to take private lessons on a regularly scheduled basis, that's qualification enough to own (or at least have daily access to) an instrument that is of high enough quality to contribute to the student's progress. Practice on a well-functioning and good sounding instrument is essential; otherwise, the money and time spent by teacher, parent, and student is wasted.

If the concern about buying a tuba for a middle school student is height, take a look at this thread and its photos:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65913&hilit=Rupert

Steve "who wishes that his parents had allowed him to take tuba lessons in middle school, let alone own a tuba" Marcus

[Samcai8]

Well, I know I'll be sticking with tuba. I'll probably be finding a good teacher instead of buying a tuba. A highschooler I've made friends with (1st chair) is actually taking lessons with somebody and he said he might recommend me.
Thanks to everybody for the feedback. I might buy a tuba when I'm in highschool. Right now, my mom absolutely won't let my dad spend that much money for me.

Oh, and on the height issue, I'm about 5'8-ish.
Thanks again to everybody.

[Michael Bush]

he might recommend me.

You don't need his recommendation. Just call the teacher, or ask one of your parents to. If he or she has time for another student, you'll most likely get a chance no matter what any of that teacher's other students think of you.

[afugate]

Couple of suggestions...
You might also suggest that instead of the expected donation to the boosters that you be allowed to take the horn to Mid South Music in Williston, TN and pay for the repairs.

This is an excellent idea, especially with school budgets being what they are these days.

-Andy in OKC