Tuba Lesson - High Register Playing Tips - Part 1 of 2

Here is part 1 of a short video I made in reponse to a question I received from a KZbinr who asked me for tips on high register tuba playing.
Due to KZbin's new policy on absolutely NO videos more than ten minutes, I have had to split the video into two parts, but it is meant to be as one lesson. The complete lesson in one piece can be found on my MySpace page which is linked from my KZbin home page.
I certainly hope that this lesson is helpful to anyone interested in learning the tuba or improving on skills they have already acquired.
Thank you and have a great day.

[@mr.bug9319]

Watching this after the Kobe incident rip

[@Yoyocita2]

now, the warm-up is a very confusing topic. Most believe that playing slowly and legato in the beginning is proper, improving overall sound quality. However, some believe (ie Baadsvik) that playing slow and legato in the warm-up can cause some serious issues including too much focus on micro-positioning the lips on the mouthpiece, and that it's better to improve dynamic playing, not static. In other words, it's good to experiment whether playing slow or fast in warm-up helps you the most.

[@joshopsho]

The Warm up that rlly works for me is 2 octaves from Bb to Bb, (comfortable range, do it in ur easiest key) no faster than 120bpm. 4 beats on 1st note and slur up a 3rd nd do 8 beats on tht note(nd then take it up a tone until u reach the top) Do it the other way round for the way down. It works ur tone production, regulates ur air control and eases in ur basic flexibility. It gets everything going and only takes 10 mins kinda the tuba exercise equivelant of having a nice swim! lol

[@dylanm8615]

I play tuba and my name Dylan too

[@tubadylan]

Well, hello Dylan!

[@tubadude07]

thanks man this helps ALOT, my private instructor, Matt Tropman, tells alot of that stuff too.

[@bonumfatum457]

I use a gold plated marcinkiewicz w-2 and a Pro concert model. I love both of them and highly recommend them.

[@tubadylan]

The tuba is a Yamaha YFB 621 F. The mouthpiece is a Giddings and Webster "Bora".

[@spoonyeti]

Super conseils, merci beaucoup!

[@tubadylan]

Giddings and Webster "Bora". I was one of the first people to receive their mouthpieces when they came up with the stainless steel blowers a few years ago, and have never gone back.

[@Bobofwestoregonusa]

Depends on your style of playing. In general though, I like large mouthpieces, nice fat tones. If you've already broken in your first mouthpiece, meaning your ready to move up, i'd suggest getting a Schilke Helleburg, or a Mirafone C4. Both of them are good for a highschool or collage level. Another good mouth peice is the Paratucci 48, one of my personal favorites. It has a deep cup with a funnel bowl. I was using one once and it was the most comfertable feeling mouthpice I had ever played on.

[@tubadylan]

It might be weird, but you'll be able to adjust. Don't worry about it!

[@jexiagalleta]

Someone I know played French horn and was in the same position. She found it took about a month to get her pitch back under control.

[@fretburner08]

Thanks this actually help.

[@Bobofwestoregonusa]

The Mike Finns are nice. Wish I had one. I'm working on getting a Schilke though.

[@redredblood1]

@displectaid yeah, it was exacrtly the same wya for me getting my braces put on, after I had already been playing a year, but don't worry, it will be perfectly fine, your lips will probably even be able to have a more range of motion, because of the loss of the braces pushing up against your lips

[@joshstanman]

Nice G&W. Which model is that? I play on a Taku, and love it... Seriously good tips for the younger guys, and even those of us who have been playing for a while. It's amazing what can be achieved by simply buzzing a mouthpiece. Something I need to do more often...

[@joshstanman]

That is a Giddings and Webster, looks like a Stainless Steel version. Killer pieces.

[@cordeiropascoal]

3:31 loved this arpeggio! Could you please explain me why tubists usually hate to play flutter-tonguing? Is it a too demanding or uncomfortable technique?

[@sabulatron3769]

It's a lot harder with a giant mouthpiece

[@dudestop2743]

@@sabulatron3769 I find it quite eas, don't know why, just do

[@brananherndon6947]

I am starting at the CBHS band soon (oldest high school band in America) and I play tuba in beginner band camp this summer. I use their tuba. So this tuba is so beat up and tarnished (it was a gold color) that the call it ol' rusty. Ha Ha, at least it isn't a trombone!

[@whatthefack]

holy shit man thats such a low note lmao ur good

[@proslackroblox8155]

How do you play low notes loud. I am a “Newish” tuba player I’ve been playing for two years and I can play high loud but low I have a real problem

[@walkuro7384]

Take bigger, deeper breaths into your diaphragm and let it out more faster as if you were playing fortissimo. It's what I've been doing and it worked out for me. I'm also assuming that you play a Contrabass BB-flat Tuba, which lower notes below B-flat 1 would be easier to play than if you were playing a Bass Tuba in E-flat.

[@markywillsmusic]

i have a baby tuba, shes called alice :).....yes i have named her :L

[@shadowdragon1624]

This is much easier for me coming from trombone

[@tubadylan]

Yes, a G and W Bora.

[@tubamaniacRI]

hey when you do these cool lessons can you show your fingerings? Thanks.

[@lestercollins6519]

talk about it!!!

[@leojacobs7240]

i wanna play like kobe

[@bellstanford3002]

That’s a big oof right there sir

[@loganjohnson8010]

Bruh

[@hellspike9]

wow thx man i was worndering if you could email me some simple tuba music/ im just started tuba last year and im second chair in the cypress bay band . but i just cant find anything to play to improve my skills

[@cpadgett1124]

where did you go to school?

[@ivan1127]

whats the name of that mouthpiece?

[@Bobofwestoregonusa]

Eh, loud is relative. If you mean soloist loud, then yes, the conn helleburg is good, but if you mean marching band loud, then you need a nice large fat mouthpiece, something with a deep cup, a wide rim and a deep throat bore. And you just drop your jaw. And that fat sound you want comes in.

[@thedrangler599]

Us tubaists and our (amazing) sideburns...😂 Then again, I'm also a flautist.

[@handmetheparachute]

The Drangler Both require lots of air, so you must have strong lungs.

[@thedrangler599]

handmetheparachute I just try not to die. 😂

[@just2340]

HEAVY METAL!!!!(tuba isn't the lightest instrument)

[@99corncob]

This is not the guy you want to emulate, kids.

[@theosmith2214]

Wdym?

[@thatdisneygirl4931]

He’s my dad and he’s amazing so leave him alone!!!

[@tubadylan]

Look at the comments above and you may find out.

[@Itsmebsg]

i dont got pedal Tuba

[@thedrangler599]

Itsmebdg you don’t NEED a pedal, just loosen your lips as much as you can.

[@cashmoneyman14]

wat kind of mouthpiece is that?

[@tedtedsen269]

the lowest note sounded like a FART

[@mutus56]

Don't puff out ur cheeks it's a bad habit and once you get in to it you can't stop.

[@dylanh8602]

It's not really necessarily a bad thing

[@jdplaystuba]

@@dylanh8602 mean if your a jazz player then no but if your in an orchestra or playing classical its hurts. My band is playing dazon no since im so used to puffinh i can't center my note. I explode the note so thats why teachers tell you not to puff your cheeks it affects your embouchure. Might be different for you but its how it been affecting me Instead its exploding

[@chadhall9605]

The Music Kid I played it last school year, and really I’ve gotten used to puffing to where I just know how a certain pitch feels and my tone doesn’t suffer. It actually helps me because when I play not puffed then my tone sounds pinched. Never changed my embouchure but just my cheeks, and it makes me sound not so pretty. It also helps when I circular breathe because then I won’t have to stop the air. I can just condense and expand my cheeks while keeping the air constant.

[@godyrwita]

completely out of tone...all you pedals are a lil' high....

[@matt_b...]

ugh. I was a much better tuba player years ago when I played. yet I am humbled by your willingness and ability to show off semi proper tuba playing abilities. your embouchure is horrendous, BTW.

[@RiveBassCovers]

Who the hell cares about embouchure as long as he sounds good?!?

[@greatvib3s]

+Elias Rivera there is no way to really respond to that, aside from everything. it affect your breathing, resonance, and overall ability to push the air through. try to inflate a balloon when it's compressed.

[@corriandearman1549]

Your beginning F is sharp

[@gflgaming8003]

Corrian Dearman I would expect that, cause it's a G

[@chandnibegum556]

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