Posted by David on April 26, 2003 at 10:25:43:
In Reply to: easier to play more musically on C Tuba? posted by B Flat guy on April 25, 2003 at 21:16:20:
There all kinds of reasons to switch, but wanting to is the best one.
Several things to consider: focus of air in the mouthpiece, volume of air, support of air, buzzing the correct pitch (which really means hearing the pitch in your head before you play it), correct placement of the tongue prior to releasing air causing the attack (usually just behind the upper front teeth - tu).
Once you eliminate all the above and still have the problem, then it is a mouthpiece/instrument compatability issue. Try other combinations and the problem could disappear like majic. If you get to this point, just break down and purchase several different types and styles of mouthpiece. One of them will work. (Example: I purchased a MW2000. The first mouthpiece was a Dillon Geib 3, the second a Parke-Ofenloch, and the winner a Monette 94. For the MW 45SLP, the mpc's tried were a Perantucci 63, 65, a Monette 94F, Mike Finn MF2, MF3, a JK 4C, and the winner JK 4B.) There is more to compatibility than sometimes meets the ear.
Pitch, tone quality, flexibility, all the things you liked about the horn originally will be enhanced by finding the correct mouthpiece.
Hope you've found your problem and can get on with just having fun!!