Tuba mouthpiece

ttf_Jesse · Post by **ttf_Jesse** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:29 pm

Hello
I read somewhere that playing or at least buzzing on a tuba mouthpiece can help improve my trombone tone. I've been playing for 3 years and no tuba experience. What mouthpiece do you guys think I should buy? Thanks

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:46 pm

First, I'd be real curious to know where you read that and who said it.

And then I'd be curious to know if they had any more than one anecdotal experience to base it on.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:09 pm

It probably doesn't help unless you want to play tuba as well.

If you really want to do it I'd go for a cheap used one. Probably on the smallish side. When I play tuba I will use something like a Bach 25, Schilke Helleberg, or the like. Hellebergs are a good choice since they tend to have relatively small rims and deep cups. Easier to play with a trombone embouchure.

ttf_Doug Elliott · Post by **ttf_Doug Elliott** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:12 pm

I now have a tuba and sousaphone, and I don't know why I didn't try it years ago. A few minutes a few days a week feels great and seems to keep me in shape nicely. I don't know specifically if it helps sound or not.

I use a pretty big tuba mouthpiece, my 130R. Smaller just doesn't work for me.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:53 pm

Quote from: Doug Elliott on Aug 28, 2017, 03:12PMI now have a tuba and sousaphone, and I don't know why I didn't try it years ago. A few minutes a few days a week feels great and seems to keep me in shape nicely. I don't know specifically if it helps sound or not.

I use a pretty big tuba mouthpiece, my 130R. Smaller just doesn't work for me.

Interesting. The big ones didn't work for me at all. I tried a Bach 18 and a Marcinkiewicz H1. I can sorta make the H1 work but the Bach 18 was a no go. I have a no-name 25 that worked OK. Even used it with my bass trombone to simulate a Cimbasso.

ttf_bigbassbone1 · Post by **ttf_bigbassbone1** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:55 pm

I can't imagine buzzing a tuba mouthpiece would help your trombone playing much at all..... but it's possible!

I knew a professional player who was monstrously good, who would do his morning buzzing routine on a bach 1 1/2 before plugging his 4G in to play for the rest of the day. He seemed to think it made a big difference.

ttf_Full Pedal Trombonist · Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:57 pm

I used to double tuba and I don't think it did anything for me other than the extra amount of practice on yet another instrument. Perhaps good for airflow and all that. To buzz on a tuba mpc. Try a Kelly or a cheap eBay Bach mpc.

ttf_Matt K · Post by **ttf_Matt K** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:59 pm

Tuba does feel really good to play; I really want to pick one up again at some point. I don't know if you'd get the same benefit from buzzing in a mouthpiece. There are lots of things people have recommended that are really hard to test because of the placebo and because they may be doing one or many other things at the same time differently than they had in the past that can lead them to draw erroneous conclusions. Being able to play tuba, on the other hand, has the benefit of being a practical skill that may help you get gigs.

ttf_Doug Elliott · Post by **ttf_Doug Elliott** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:40 pm

Sorry Matt, you can't have that sousaphone back.

ttf_Jesse · Post by **ttf_Jesse** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:11 am

I'll probably pick up a tuba sometime, but unfortunately it's not happening anytime soon.

ttf_Geezerhorn · Post by **ttf_Geezerhorn** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:31 am

I picked one up yesterday. Then I set it back down.

...Geezer

ttf_harrison.t.reed · Post by **ttf_harrison.t.reed** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:32 am

Lifting heavy things -- good for muscular endurance while playing the trombone. I like it Geezer!

ttf_Matt K · Post by **ttf_Matt K** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:35 am

Quote from: Doug Elliott on Aug 28, 2017, 10:40PMSorry Matt, you can't have that sousaphone back.

Glad it's working for you and equally glad my wife doesn't complain about it taking up 25% of our apartment space

ttf_donn · Post by **ttf_donn** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:13 pm

Quote from: Jesse on Sep 01, 2017, 07:11AMI'll probably pick up a tuba sometime, but unfortunately it's not happening anytime soon.

It could be surprisingly affordable. A nice step down from the trombone is a "bass tuba" in Eb, and you can get into that with an old American or English beater with 3 valves, for less than $500. I know that's the same as $5000 if you don't have it, and more generally speaking it only reinforces the rule that tubas tend to be pretty expensive for band instruments, but just want to point out a short term path that isn't terribly expensive. That tuba won't play "the rep", but if you verify before buying that it plays in tune, it can serve as a powerful bass in a small ensemble, and it should also be a nice enough solo instrument. Makes a lot more sense than wasting time and money on a euphonium.

ttf_Radar · Post by **ttf_Radar** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:57 am

I actually play more Tuba these days than tenor trombone, and an equal amount to Bass trombone. I find that playing Tuba does little for my trombone chops, but I do find that Trombone playing gives me more control of pitch for my Tuba playing. Playing Tuba does help in one respect, I have much more air support and control after playing Tuba for a while than I did when I was only playing trombone and Euphonium.

ttf_Radar · Post by **ttf_Radar** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:05 am

Quote from: Radar on Sep 02, 2017, 06:57AMI actually play more Tuba these days than tenor trombone, and an equal amount to Bass trombone. I find that playing Tuba does little for my trombone chops, but I do find that Trombone playing gives me more control of pitch for my Tuba playing. Playing Tuba does help in one respect, I have much more air support and control after playing Tuba for a while than I did when I was only playing trombone and Euphonium.
A Bach 18 is a pretty standard size Tuba mouthpiece, a Bach 24AW is also a pretty common choice, as well as the Conn Helleberg. Any of these would be a good starting place for someone getting into tuba for the first time, and they are readily available for $70-$80 even cheaper used if you watch E-bay.

<Edit: fixed quote>

ttf_Radar · Post by **ttf_Radar** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:05 am

Quote from: Radar on Sep 02, 2017, 06:57AMI actually play more Tuba these days than tenor trombone, and an equal amount to Bass trombone. I find that playing Tuba does little for my trombone chops, but I do find that Trombone playing gives me more control of pitch for my Tuba playing. Playing Tuba does help in one respect, I have much more air support and control after playing Tuba for a while than I did when I was only playing trombone and Euphonium.
A Bach 18 is a pretty standard size Tuba mouthpiece, a Bach 24AW is also a pretty common choice, as well as the Conn Helleberg. Any of these would be a good starting place for someone getting into tuba for the first time, and they are readily available for $70-$80 even cheaper used if you watch E-bay.

<Edit: fixed quote>