Starting on a Tuba

[Hank74]

It is great that you are encouraging young students to play the tuba and doing so at the very beginning like the 3rd or 4th grade.

To answer your question, I would begin with nothing larger than a common 3/4 BBb tuba with three piston valves. The size is big enough to get the student started without being too imposing.

You must also get them to be seated properly on the chair. For me. that is sitting a little bit sideways with the bottom touching the seat. Now the students maybe be tall or small, so using a telephone book might be needed for adjustment so that the mouth can easily reach the mouthpiece.

As for practicing, I would highly recommend they use the Essential Elements series of books, one of which is for tuba. The best thing is these lesson books include a CD which allows the player to listen to a pro playing and not get completely lost. I started using this last year when I've only been playing for about 3 years and am now 30. This is a great tool for any student to use at home with a CD player.

Finally, there are 3/4 tubas which are not too expensive and could be used for beginners at home instead of relying on school horns. I have a new one that I use as a practice horn for my sousa playing. With a rolling case, it cost me about $600. You just have to look at E-bay, this site, or any others for a good deal.

So I hope this answers your question. The point is get the person started now and encourage him/her to keep playing. If they wish to get into another instrument later on, fine. But I think once hooked, they won't let go. Then they can get into the more professional horns and the sousaphone.

The tuba is a great instrument that needs more players. If I were in the fourth grade again, I would be eager to take it on.

Hank74

[MartyNeilan]

I started tuba at 9 and played BBb tubas (a Yamaha 3/4 and a no name "7/8"ish thing the school had). For me, the only difference was holding the tuba sideways on my lap, with the bell pointing towards one side. I couldn't do the bell up thing for another 1 1/2 to 2 yrs. I never used any of those gargantua tuba holders that do all the work and take all the control of the horn away from you. (Although I might now recommend something like the DEG stand or Stewart Stand, providing a single height-adjustable balance and pivot point for the horn while still keeping it completely under the student's control.)
If the kids have the chops and the air, it shouldn't matter which way they point the bell during their first lessons, as long as the mouthpiece reaches their lips and not their forehead.

[Art Hovey]

Start with a small instrument like the Yamaha YBB103 or 105 or the chinese equivalent. But if a kid shows promise get him or her onto a four-valve instrument as soon as possible, such as the Weril 680. And remind the student to use the 4th valve.

[leehipp]

What kind of person is best for the tuba?
Anyone interested, as long as there are no major dental issues that would prohibit a good embouchure.

Should a student start out on a tuba or another instrument?
Start on a tuba whenever possible, this may not work if you are starting with some 5th or 6th graders. If necessary you can always start them on a euph or baritone and have them read out of a tuba book and always try to get them on a 4 valve instument from day one if possible.

If starting on tuba, should a tuba player start out on a reduced size tuba or a full size?
If possible yes start full size, if not see above.
Rotary valve or Piston valve?
Does not really matter, there are probably more small piston horns available than rotary.

How old or what grade level should a tuba player begin?
As soon as they can hold it, usually by the sixth grade but some have started earlier.

How would you get a beginning tuba player to practice?
How would you inspire a student to keep playing?
These both kind of go together, if the student is inspired he will practice. Most important for young tuba players is getting them literature that challenges them more than their band music, etude books, solos, etc. need to be pressed into their young hands as early as possible. Get them to listen to recordings as well so they can develop a concept of sound. Most important though is to not let them believe they are second class members of the ensemble and what they do as the bass of the group is of utmost importance.

Last piece of advice - get them (and yourself) Don Little's "Practical Hints on Playing the Tuba".

Good luck, as a music educator you will have the opportunity to be the greatest positive influence your students can hope for.

Lee Hipp