Holding a Tuba

[tubeast]

Bottom bow sits on middle of both thighs. Horn is mostly upright.
During loooooong all-day rehearsal sessions, yesterday´s newspaper folded and shoved in pant´s legs (resembling Football protective pads, but not quite as humongous) helps a little. I don´t care who chuckles at the sight, as long as it does the trick.

THE BEST clothing for tubists: Lederhosen. Therefore pant-wise, Bavarian folk-band must be the best gig there is. Rigid, protective, non-slipping surface.

[PaulMaybery]

I would normally suggest using a rest such as the BBC. These can position the tuba with the mouthpiece just about anywhere that is comfortable and ergonomic. BUT - recently a tuba friend in a top tier orchestra suggested wrapping a friction surface material (such as drawer liner - found the kitchen section of many home stores) around the 1st branch/bottom bow ferule were it contacts the left thigh. I was surprised at how easy the tuba just sits there, and without trying to slide down the leg of my pants, was comfortable for several hours of practicing. It just so happens that on that particular horn the mouthpipe position and angle are compatable. I had tried the same trick on the other side of the bottom bow and it never worked, though to me that seemed logical as that is where the tuba butts into the leg. But alas, the sliding can better be prevented from the left side. If I can avoid carrying a tuba rest, I will be happy with one less item to schlepp.
I will also confess that it did recently purchase a wonderful (foldable) chair that I likely will schlepp to gigs. (Adjustrite by Vito) It has adjustable legs and a slightly tilted seat. It was designed for cellists and I love it though not cheap at $179) One thing to consider though, is that the seat is not very deep and there is not room in the front to rest the tuba on the chair, so if that is your plan, forget using it. For a lap position it works very well.

[Worth]

The heavier the horn the more it makes you sink in your chair without the use of a stand. I don't use a stand, thus like to use a square boat cushion to sit on which offers some lift to overcome either especially saggy chairs or someone with a big head in a row in front of you. Got a non-descript black cover for it from IKEA and good to go.

[MaryAnn]

I went the rounds with my NStar. Tuba stand.....bell leans towards me, and I need the bell to lean *away* from me to get the mouthpiece at an angle that works. So, bye bye tuba stand cost. I have ended up carrying a phone book (plan to replace with styrofoam) and some shelf liner and a guitar footstand with me. All less hassle than the tuba stand. I sit kitty-corner on the chair, on the phone book which is shoved all the way to the back, leaving room for the bow in front of me on the chair. And I am skinny, so the corner of the chair that sticks out has plenty of room for the bottom bow. The shelf liner goes around the phone book and out on to the chair so neither slips. I'm on and off with the guitar stand (which I already owned;) it does take some stress off my left arm but I also find myself forgetting to use it (left leg.) But at least I've got the height and leadpipe angle at a place that works now, and my neck is not killing me after an hour. And the tuba still is just the cat's meow.

[Uncle Markie]

I play large Martin tubas - they weigh in at 30 lbs. each. I use (currently) the new Hercules stand, with some Yoga mat (black) foam material contact cemented into the cradle to keep the front action horn from tipping/sliding away to my left. I find it to be a lot better made than the old DEG - less rocking, etc.

As to moving leadpipes - I've done this in the past, but the problem remains the seating. If the chair is cushioned, things don't line up. If the chair has a slick surface like the dreaded steel folding chair, it may not work. Meanwhile you've altered the horn to fit a chair you may never sit upon in a performance situation.

The ubiquitous steel folding chair is the bane of my existence, especially on the summer concerts, etc. These days I am usually the entire tuba section, and the horn is "up" all the time. I have constructed a "chair insert" made of plywood and some scrap pieces that raise the seat level, bring up the back so I'm not sitting in a crouch, and it has a front extension with a little bit of plumbing parts to create a post upon which the cradle from a DEG stand sits. It pops in the folding chair snugly, keeps the horn where it should be, is stable and eliminates the wasted effort wrangling the horn all through the gig. I will try a raised platform for the horn cushioned with the yoga mat foam in the next version of this contraption. I have made different versions for the top action action horn and the front horn. Once I get it "right" I'll post plans so that anyone with a saw and some basic skills can make their own.

I've noticed several of my colleagues (not tuba players) carrying around the wedge-shaped orthopedic cushions to deal with the folding chairs. These things create a lot of lower back pain; designed to comfortable for pretty much nobody.

Oddly, the very adjustable leadpipe of the sousaphone eliminates nearly all of this!

Mark Heter

[Toobist]

experimenting with classic guitar footrest (lowest possible position) to elevate my left leg and support the (5/4 size) tuba.

- weighs 1.5 lbs.
- collapses flat, and slips in gig bag pocket

Yes! I thought I was the only one.

[ScottM]

I quite short so have a different issue as most mouthpieces hit me in the forehead. I use a DEG stand with one horn. I like it as it is easily adjustable and I can make it short enough so I am not wrestling with the horn. It is one more thing to carry to a gig but the comfort of a better playing position makes it worth it to me. I use it with my PT20. It isn't heavy and I installed a bicycle seat adjusting screw to make adjusting it easier.
I have a Mirafone 184 also. This horn is a little short so I just use a hand towel which I can fold multiple ways to make the horn the correct height regardless of the chair I am using.
I think having the horn be in a comfortable position is important for musical and ergonomic reasons. I already have enough physical challenges due to the size of the horn so anything I can do to make life easier is good.
ScottM