Posted by GC on March 26, 2002 at 11:40:39:
In Reply to: More focused and accurate sound? posted by Tuba Question on March 25, 2002 at 21:42:26:
Two comments:
Sometimes people crack because they're trying to play a note in tune using a lip set that's not quite in tune with the natural tendencies of the horn, and this causes the initial attack to crack. Use your tuner and practice those particular notes.
I've recently been using mouthpieces with a fairly flat rim and have been cracking more than I'm used to. I just bought a Rudy Meinl #1 mouthpiece with a very rounded rim, and I haven't cracked a note since I've switched to it. Maybe you just need a change in mouthpieces for a while, and need to work on tongue and breath attacks. I'm not recommending a particular shape or size, just try something different.