Cimbasso - Here we go again...

[PaulMaybery]

Played with a large orchestra this weekend and used the Wessex F cimbasso (Silver plated) with a large Helleberg MP.
I could have covered the orchestra had I wanted. Verdi - "Aida" (Ballet music and triumphal march) What an incredible instrument both for depth of sound, response and intonation. It packs a real wallop!!! Plus the softer sounds are gorgeous. For those who are thinking about getting one of these, I think you will fall in love with it. It is even appropriate in band music for those Italian 'warhorse' overtures and marches such as "L'Inglesina" and the Bonelli "Marcha Sinfonico." If you use your imagination, I suppose you could even find things to do to color the bass part in symphonic Hollywood/Jazz - type literature. Many, many possibilities.

[Bob Kolada]

Do you notice a big difference in playing, sound,... with a large deep mouthpiece?

[PaulMaybery]

Yes, It's a little fuller with the Helleberg and the sound has a little more 'gravitas to it than say with shallow Solo F mouthpiece. My favorite though, is the G&W Tephra with a gently rounded rim. Thinking about it, the Helleberg is not quite the ideal sound I'm after. But then it sounds so much different in the orchestra with all those strings, than it does in a band or for that matter in the practice room. I will probably go back to the Tephra for the next gig. I think the hall has a little to do with it. It is very easy to put an edge on the cimbasso sound, and even more easy to overblow it, especially after switching from the BAT. In a band setting you will also have a tuba section to give some ambience to the cimbasso's very directional sound. That is not the case in the orchestra. If you are not careful, things easily get ugly.

On a side note, I was experiencing a dry mouth today due to allergies and I wanted the sharper/flat rim of the Helleberg for security. Pretty much though, I think whatever sound you get from it is largely due how you approach the instrument. In America the cimbasso is sort of 'uncharted territory' and we have a lot to learn in that regard. The more we use it in a variety of venues, the more we begin to figure things out.