Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

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jessejames
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Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by jessejames »

Tuba mouthpieces, even a Bach 24AW which is supposed to be of a smaller size, just don't fit my face! Does anyone have a suggestion for a mouthpiece that has a tuba shank and works well for a smaller tuba? I actually own a Bach 30E but even that doesn't work for me.
tbonesullivan
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by tbonesullivan »

How does the mouthpiece not "fit your face"? A tuba mouthpiece isn't going to fit like a trombone mouthpiece anymore than a trumpet mouthpiece will.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
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Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
jessejames
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by jessejames »

I really don't have a lot of upper lip (red of the lip to the tip of my nose) and find that I don't get a good seal at the corners when using a tuba mouthpiece. Both upper and lower lips are fairly thin. Sorry for not explaining that before.
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Burgerbob
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by Burgerbob »

Conn Helleberg 7B is about as small as I would go.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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BGuttman
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by BGuttman »

The Bach 32E is a little smaller than the 30.

I've used Marcinkiewicz 105 and 107 mouthpieces on my 1892 Conn Eb tuba. Might also work.

Also see if you can try the Mirafone H2 (it's also a Helleberg style).
Bruce Guttman
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SimmonsTrombone
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by SimmonsTrombone »

Arrange a Skype session with Doug. Or telephone Joe Sellmansberger at MidSouth Music near Memphis. He specializes in tuba mouthpieces.
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by Doug Elliott »

Try anything but a 24AW. It's small inside but with a stupidly wide rim.

I make narrow rims for tuba, for exactly the reason you need it. I think my Narrow rim shape is thinner than any others available, and I can make extra thin rims like a bass trombone rim, if necessary. In my mouthpieces there are lots of choices.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
jessejames
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by jessejames »

Yes, that rim on the 24AW is super wide. I'll look at Doug's tuba mouthpiece sizes online and maybe connect with him at TMEA.

Thanks for all the comments!
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sirisobhakya
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Re: Is there a good small tuba mouthpiece for doubling?

Post by sirisobhakya »

I don’t think this is useful, but I used a Yamaha 60B (a bass trombone mouthpiece) when I had to double on tuba. The shank can fit small shank receiver, sitting deep into the leadpipe. For large shank it fit loosely and I don’t trust laying a tuba down with the mouthpiece in.

My sound was like a tuba, though, from my former band director’s comment.
Chaichan Wiriyaswat
Bangkok, Thailand
“Why did I buy so many horns when I only have one mouth…?”
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