Learning to play loudly near other humans

[chronolith]

The issue of learning to play loudly well came up in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=70579" target="_blank

I feel like I am guilty of not paying this enough attention and I am prepared to proceed with it. I have some questions through.

- Can this be practiced properly with a practice mute or some other sound dampening device?
- Practice what? Long tones? Lyrical stuff? Technical? Everything I normally practice?
- What signs do I look for to ensure I am not overdoing it or doing myself harm?

I like my family and they are tolerant if not supportive of my tuba'ing but I don't want to come home one day to find that someone emptied the litterbox into my bell in an attempt to send me a message.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the idea of practicing to "play loud". As if playing loud is a virtue unto itself.
You play loud when the music demands it. The music you hear around you, tells you if you need to play soft, or loud.
It shouldn't be necessary to train to play loudly, like it's an Olympic event!

One man's opinion. Take it for what it's worth...

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Yes! Practicing dynamics, as a part of a continuum makes a lot of sense!

Not playing loud, just to play loud.
(I suppose I am reacting to the mentality behind the performances in those videos of marching band "sousaphone battles" that are on YouTube)
e.g. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAk2jo5uAtw

[Eflatdoubler]

All dynamics are important, and like anything else take practice for control. I also practice loud playing using Bordogni, always trying for a beautiful sound.
A conductor doesn't usually give a brass section the hand because they are playing too loud, but rather too ugly.

[chronolith]

family/scheduling issues...?? yours to solve

Which is why I was inquiring if using a practice mute was an option. Not sure if there are mutes that do not so adversely affect tuning is to make them counterproductive for this case.

I didn't mean this to come off as playing loud for loud's sake. I am aware of when it is appropriate to play loud as dictated by the markings on the page. I think the link I referenced makes the case for practicing loud as a development tool and that is what I am going for. I posted a separate topic because I did not want to derail the thread.

[Michael Bush]

Here is a book:

http://www.encoremupub.com/loud-playing-for-tuba/

[MackBrass]

The answer to this is, play and work on the soft dynamics as this will make you louder dynamics seems louder. Playing soft or having the ability to play soft is more difficult and is overlooked. At auditions the number one thing that gets people the "thank you" card is people play their excerpts too loud. As time and experience goes on so does the dynamic range of the player.

[bort]

- Can this be practiced properly with a practice mute or some other sound dampening device?

Not really. I always find that it messes with my ears and brain. So much work, so little output? It doesn't help for THAT (but it helps other things).

- Practice what? Long tones? Lyrical stuff? Technical? Everything I normally practice?

I think low and lyrical, plus a variety. Practice loudly the stuff you'd need to play loudly. Practicing the delicate stuff loudly... well... that sounds silly.

- What signs do I look for to ensure I am not overdoing it or doing myself harm?

Pain. You'll get tired faster, but that's okay. Just avoid pain.

I like my family and they are tolerant if not supportive of my tuba'ing but I don't want to come home one day to find that someone emptied the litterbox into my bell in an attempt to send me a message.

Limit your "really loud time" to something proportional to what you will actually need to use. I think it's unavoidable to need to do it, but you can minimize the time a bit. Baseball players don't need to try and hit homeruns at batting practice all day long, every day... but sometimes they do need to do this (oh yeah, baseball on my mind... spring is coming!)

[toobagrowl]

If possible, try to find a large room of some type to practice in every once in a while. Kinda goes with bloke's church sanctuary suggestion.

I always seek out large rooms to practice in (when possible) because the sound is nearly always better. You also hear things you sometimes don't hear in small rooms. And if you play in groups (quintet, orchestra, band, etc.) and they practice in large rooms, try to get there earlier, or take your time after rehearsal to toot or practice.

As far as playing loudly -- the best tuba sounds I've heard, IMO, sound kinda "gruff" up close, but sound great out in the audience. Jay Bertolet has talked about this before. It's a combo of edge/bite and 'body' (in a controlled way) in the sound. The really good players (of all brass instruments) know this and utilize it. They can 'tailor' their sound depending on acoustic venue and what type of music/group they are playing with

[Dan Tuba]

I have discovered that practicing out side helps me with projection. I don't change my approach to playing much at all if any. I usually practice beautiful melodies and I try to play them at p, mf, f, and ff.

[b.williams]

Using a practice mute is a very good way to improve your volume near other humans. Loud with a PM is very loud without. Trying to sound great with a PM will definitely improve your playing. FWIW, I live in a condo and must use PMs. I doubt if those who criticize PMs have used them as much as I have.