Tuba to practice low notes

[rgorscak]

I play trombone(s) and Besson Euphonium with local community bands. I am looking for a way to develop embouchure for low notes and wondered if playing a tuba might help. My instructor said it might. I wondered what brand might be best. I am not looking for top of the line and maybe I can go for used if the horn is not in bad shape. I would like a 4-valve compensating if possible. Any suggestions if it would even help and if so, what might be a horn to look at. I can see spending a few thousands (whatever that means)!

[John Morgan]

I have a tuba that I might part with. It is a Wessex Eb, 4 valve, compensating tuba. In like new condition. And I just moved to Florida, about 80 miles north of you in Summerfield. PM me if you are interested. It won't cost many thousands, perhaps a couple or so...

[rgorscak]

Yes, I am interested. What is the difference between an Eb versus Bbb Tuba in terms of reading music (fingering)? I actually know little about Tubas.

And welcome back to Florida!

Rich Gorscak

[rgorscak]

Oops, I should have said Welcome to Florida!

[dsurkin]

I have a tuba that I might part with. It is a Wessex Eb, 4 valve, compensating tuba. In like new condition. And I just moved to Florida, about 80 miles north of you in Summerfield. PM me if you are interested. It won't cost many thousands, perhaps a couple or so...

Hope you enjoy your new digs, John. Time to update your signature regarding ensembles you belong to!

[rgorscak]

John, I did research on Eb and think it would be perfect for me. I sent you a private message to see if we can get together. I hope you get it. I am not adept with this site the way I should be.

[John Morgan]

Hope you enjoy your new digs, John. Time to update your signature regarding ensembles you belong to!

Yep, you are right Dean!! I did update my location at least!! It would be a heck of a commute to keep playing in the groups I have listed. I will fix that shortly.

[ghmerrill]

I'm at the point where I wish I had a Bombino instead of my Champion. Not that the Champion hasn't been wonderful.

[spkissane]

If the Eb doesn't work out, I would also recommend looking at a 4/4 BBb with piston valves like the Eastman EBB534, Wessex "Dragon," or something similar. In my experience, playing tuba doesn't do much for my euphonium *embouchure* but it does wonders for my *air*! High and low notes both feel like a breeze on euphonium after a good practice session on the tuba because filling the horn up feels so effortless when I switch back.

[rgorscak]

I got the Eb (Wessex Bambino) a couple of days ago and finally took it out today for a short time. I can tell that the different fingering will mess me up playing songs from memory because I am used to the Euphonium, but I am sure reading music will not be a problem given I know treble clef and I can add the sharps as needed. I never touched a tuba before and the first thing I realized I did not know for sure which Eb I was playing. I feel I am playing low, so I guess the one below the staff. It was very hard to go down from there more then maybe 4 to 5 half tones. I did not yet look at the fingering chart yet. I feel I need to get some lessons to get the feel for it. I did notice that only playing notes for about 20 minutes and then a couple of hours later trying to play my small-bore trombone, I was messed up on control. It took about 10 - 15 minutes to get back to normal. I see that I better not play the tuba the days of my upcoming concerts!!! At least not until I get used to it. I looked up the other horns out of curiosity, but given I already have 11 horns in my home office, I do not think my wife would appreciate me getting number twelve. Besides, I am not looking to be a tuba player. I do hope it develops my air. I thought it might also help me loosen up my embouchure for low notes although you do not think it does for you.