Placing the tuba bell down

[Hank74]

I wanted to get some thoughts, especially from the experts, on placing the tuba bell down on the floor/ground when it's not being used. I've been doing this for a long time, but have read that it's not wise to do so because of the weight distribution.

What about placing something soft, say a towel, on the ground? Would that make things better? Or is it just better to use a stand with the bell facing up?

[Donn]

Depends somewhat on the tuba, of course.

[bort]

In a controlled environment, like my house, it's 100% not a problem to rest it on its bell.

At rehearsals, there is a 0% chance of some dummy stepping on the bell flare if the tuba is sitting on its side.

Guess my preferred method depends how many dummies are around. Some days, that means sitting it on its side at home, too.

[iiipopes]

No. For example, find me a used Besson or other similar tuba that does not have the flattened bow from being tipped over. The only way is, whether at rehearsal or performance, put the tuba case in a place as far out of the "traffic area" as possible, and when not playing (as for rehearsal breaks or intermission) PUT THE TUBA IN THE CASE. I found out a long time ago that my gig bag fits neatly in the back frame of a movable sound shell section, so anybody who would trip over it will trip over the frame first and fall the other way. Never a problem.

[tbonesullivan]

If it's in a controlled environment, that's fine. Baltimore brass has their tubas resting that way, HOWEVER they also have them slotted into this awesome wooden bracket that surrounds the bell, so that the horn can't tip over.

If people are around, I think having a real stand or putting it back in the case is preferable.

[tubapix]

I have a piece of 3/8 plastic tubing around the bell rim. I also try to find a place to set it down out of everyone's way and against something; even a chair helps keep it steady and away from people.

[timayer]

When I'm counting rests, I lay mine across my knees. It stays out of harm's way, and stays warm (rather than 10c flat).

I recommend, instead of letting it sit still, that you keep it warm by playing a mezzo-piano low C until your next entrance. Keeps the instrument and your lips warm. It fills those awkward silences between cut-offs and entrances. And it allows the rest of the orchestra to be constantly tuning to your C as they play the piece. You'll also notice that it makes the music director notice you more, and you get a lot of really good eye contact with him/her throughout the concert.

[Big Toot]

To be perfectly honest, I have never really given it much thought. During rehearsals it is never out of my lap and if there is a break or intermission, I'm usually putting it in my gig bag, and out of the way. My sister had her euphonium bell creased because of something similar and I guess I kinda internalized the lesson.

[Donn]

When I'm counting rests, I lay mine across my knees. It stays out of harm's way, and stays warm (rather than 10c flat).

I recommend, instead of letting it sit still, that you keep it warm by playing a mezzo-piano low C until your next entrance. Keeps the instrument and your lips warm. It fills those awkward silences between cut-offs and entrances. And it allows the rest of the orchestra to be constantly tuning to your C as they play the piece. You'll also notice that it makes the music director notice you more, and you get a lot of really good eye contact with him/her throughout the concert.

Seems to me it would be better to avoid eye contact, but otherwise, heck yeah! If I ever have to play in an orchestral setting, I'm going to try this.

Anyway, I thought this was kind of obvious, but I've had tubas that are kind of tippy when standing on their bells and can barely stand up on their own, and tubas that you practically couldn't knock over by accident. I guess the advantages of the big bell flare have prevailed in tuba design and the former category isn't that common any more, but I'm just saying, you can't say for sure that someone else's advice based on their unspecified tuba is based on the same experience you're going to have with your unspecified tuba.

[Big Toot]

noted.

I'll give it a shot this week...Polovtsian Dances...when it's strings only...and during the concerto (no tuba).

And don't forget pieces pitched in H, or C#.

[Mark]

Just fwiw...

Along the same lines, is anyone else entering the Tchaikovsky Tuba Competition?

We really need a LIKE button on Tubenet.

[Mark]

I use a resting stand at all rehearsals. String players have no respect for tubas and would step on the bell without care.

[The Brute Squad]

Just fwiw...

Along the same lines, is anyone else entering the Tchaikovsky Tuba Competition?

One thing I not NOT looking forward to this season is that B.

[timayer]

No time. I've been too busy practicing for the Mahler.

Mahler 1.png

[The Brute Squad]

It'll be a crap shoot for me, since we don't have a dedicated timpanist. We have a couple percussionists that'll be fine, but there's one whose hearing isn't the best and he always switches pitch to a pitchpipe app on his phone, so he'll be guaranteed to be at least 15-20c flat.

And it'll be right next to me. Because of our stage size/setup, the timpani is on the other side from the rest of the percussion.

[windshieldbug]

Just fwiw...

Along the same lines, is anyone else entering the Tchaikovsky Tuba Competition?

We really need a LIKE button on Tubenet.

bloke has suggested we use “ “
Works for me!

[Big Toot]

No time. I've been too busy practicing for the Mahler.

Mahler 1.png

You and bloke just made my day. Thank you.

[euphomate]

Many years ago, and I can't find that reference now, Besson issued an advice slip to new Besson Sovereign tuba owners on how to care for their new purchase. Amongst the usual advice on cleaning, lubrication etc there was a statement advising said new owners to avoid placing their instruments bell down when not in use. The reason given was that bell spread could happen with the weight of the horn on the bell. I clearly remember reading this, and soon after purchased a K & M resting stand that has the tuba upright, sitting on the bottom bow when idle. I love it, leave the horn in it at home, and rarely attend a rehearsal or gig without it. You still have to be watchful of others walking around near it, but in the stand the largest and most obvious part of a 19" bell tuba is at waist height, not at their feet. So far so good, I have a dent free bell and the horn has never been knocked (or fallen) over.

[Big Toot]

Since the 20 lbs. of static force could - very easily, indeed - overcome the strength of the arc of a tuba bell...hopelessly crushing the bell, shouldn't anyone who rests a tuba on its bell be filling up said tuba with helium, prior to attempting this risky stunt?

That would require a tremendous amount of helium. A little over 507 ft3 for a thirty-five pound horn, by my estimate. The most you could compress that to, reasonably, in laboratory settings, would be about 355 ft3. But to be honest, I'm not entirely sure what the interior volume of any tuba might be, even if they were all a standard volume, which they aren't. You would best be served by tying balloons to the tuba, and that would take about 1300 for a thirty-five pound horn, using the standard size (11") balloon.
You know, I think I need something to do with my life.

[Ann Reid]

My earliest band experiences were under the direction of a Revelli graduate. Horns were kept in laps or cases, no other choice. At all.