ken k wrote:...you will find that bass bone takes a lot more air than the tuba...
...at least this has been my experience. bass bones just suck the air right out of you...
That is interesting. I have also learnt that, after beginning to play around with a tuba. Already from start I was able to play longer phrases on the tuba than on the bass trombone. I have heard that from other doublers before but did not really think it could be so. Also, the tuba players I have talked with did not think that could be true. So we learn as long as we try new things.
I have thought so myself, based on my first bass trombone experience from some decades ago. Today, though ... I think it depends.
I didn't try to be very scientific about it, because it isn't really clear what we want to compare - notes, volume level, what kind of passage etc. I just counted the seconds while I played a Bb. The tuba won, when the bass trombone was equipped with a Bach 1 1/4G mouthpiece. With a Kelly 1 1/2G, the bass trombone won. All the times were close, like 10% or less. Whether it proves anything else, one clear point is that the Kelly is a more efficient mouthpiece - you notice that as soon as you start playing. And I'm sure you could do worse than a Bach 1 1/4G ... did someone mention a Schilke 60?
Donn wrote:I'm sure you could do worse than a Bach 1 1/4G ... did someone mention a Schilke 60?
Watch out Don! You've just quit preachin' an' gone to meddlin'! I've been playing a bored out 60 for over 30 years. It does take more air than my tuba, but I admit I play a small bore tuba(.656).
I am fortunate to have a great job that feeds my family well, but music feeds my soul.
