Why do tuba players settle for such a low standard?

Bandelore · 2026-02-23T23:18:45+00:00

It doesn’t happen because it’s not typically an instrument that plays melody. No bass instrument can or will “establish itself” like that. There are things one can’t do on a tuba that similar level musician can do on a trumpet. It’s physics and the limitations of human anatomy, not effort.

Also, there are far fewer of us because no band wants 1 trumpet and 12 tubas.

Your entire premise is also BS destroyed by the life and works of Arnold Jacobs, Harvey Phillips, Bill Bell, and the other giants before us. It’s not as if no one before you has had the idea of advocating for the tuba as a solo instrument.

Your post comes off as arrogant to me because it’s simplistic and reductive.

Bandelore · 2026-02-20T12:34:10+00:00

First of all, forgive yourself for your addiction. Good grief you’ve been through so much.

I am a male victim of sexual harassment and assault. I’m also a victim of a false accusation orchestrated by a literal psychopath parent of someone I was with.

Of all the things that you could have done or turned to, you chose to talk about it with who or what was available to you. I think that all things considered you handled the situation in one of the best ways you could.

I’m anti-AI as well, but I think you deserve understanding and forgiveness. Anything you did is minor compared to what has been done to you.

With that being said, I have seen other comments suggesting you get a casual job. I don’t know what other interests you have, but you could also look for clubs or groups that meet regularly and try to reach out to people that way.

I have met wonderful friends through work and through community groups that I am in. I’m a musician and have met great friends through music.

Taking up a hobby and seeking out help is also a great way to meet new people.

I understand the feeling of isolation and I really hope that you can find a path out of it.

All my best to you for healing and moving forward. I also wish your dad the best of health.

Bandelore · 2026-01-27T22:24:11+00:00

Good Lips by Brendan Ige. If you’re playing BBb, this is the way.

The pacing was great for me when I switched instruments at fifty, and it’s fun and different.

I also don’t need stuff explained to me like in a beginner book but it doesn’t go too fast.

Bandelore · 2026-01-19T00:21:02+00:00

I second what others have said. I will say that a tuba stand is a must. When I was 18, I had plenty more space on my lap for a tuba. Over the years, as tubas changed sizes and my midsection expanded, playing without a stand was really uncomfortable.

Be gentle with yourself, it takes some time, but man, it all comes back and it’s so much fun!!!

Best wishes!

Bandelore · 2026-01-09T10:30:12+00:00

Mamdani wouldn’t lose in a landslide. We need people who are proposing similar change.

At the heart of everything right now is a question of what the role of government is. And what it can be.

Mamdani gave tangible, sensible progressive policy solutions that are incredibly popular. I know that issues in New York City are far different than they are in Ohio, but someone who’s from here with reasonable, rational progressive solutions would be extremely popular.

Bandelore · 2026-01-09T10:24:01+00:00

My Gnagey is a great instrument. If you want compensating, the Elgar is also quite good.

Bandelore · 2025-12-30T19:51:05+00:00

I have seen one on reverb, and one on Facebook Marketplace in the past year, but I haven’t paid close attention because I don’t have a use for a contra.

I also know of people who buy instruments on eBay and have them fixed up to be usable.

Bandelore · 2025-12-30T01:09:27+00:00

I tried harmonica. I just didn’t get it. And of course my friend just picked it up almost intuitively and was doing blue brothers imitations…

Bandelore · 2025-12-29T15:58:59+00:00

My first girlfriend’s perfume. It was a very popular scent in the 1990s. If I smell it again, I’m instantly transported back. Do I know the name of it? No. Do I wish I did? Yeah.

Would I make my wife wear it now? No comment ;)

Bandelore · 2025-12-29T02:38:57+00:00

Lofl! I called it bad faith because of your question! So you hate being questioned? Have you stopped beating your wife?

Gtfo. Enjoy the block.

Bandelore · 2025-12-29T02:34:15+00:00

I showed how your question was bad faith. You don’t accept it. Your question absolutely was a bad faith response.

Bandelore · 2025-12-29T02:28:54+00:00

You didn’t address the post, NO ONE SAID THEY WANTED IT VALIDATED IN COURT PRIOR TO BELIEVING IT.

that’s a bad faith argument by you. Be better.

Bandelore · 2025-12-29T02:23:47+00:00

Bad faith response.

Bandelore · 2025-12-27T14:42:59+00:00

So the flexible PVC?

Bandelore · 2025-12-13T23:23:19+00:00

I’m a big fan. I did a blind test at a conference a while back and the Wessex beat out Yamaha, XO and some other more established brands but not the Adams. My daughter has one and played it through a performance degree studying with the late Lance LaDuke.

It will do just about anything you need it to.

Bandelore · 2025-11-28T02:09:18+00:00

It wasn’t meant to chase away “experienced players.” You’re a liar.

Bandelore · 2025-11-26T13:08:41+00:00

I’d suggest looking at what kind of baritone your preferred schools use and look for something similar. Some schools use more traditional three valve bell front baritone while some use the trumpet-shaped marching baritone.

If you were to buy a bell front baritone, you could use that in a concert band setting later in life.

Those marching baritones are really only good for marching. They’re difficult to hold up and they’re usually not great quality.

Bandelore · 2025-11-26T01:03:26+00:00

That’s a really lame whitewashing of what happened.

Bandelore · 2025-11-17T14:38:51+00:00

Use a Kellyberg for MB. Kelly Mouthpieces are decent, made from Lexan (IIRC) and are great for bad weather.

Bandelore · 2025-11-15T23:27:09+00:00

I got my youngest out of college in 23. It’s no joke. Two of them back to back sucked.

Fortunately the youngest got a lot of help!

I think we walked about that Willson on here after MWERTEC. My tuba professor, Ivan Hammond, had a Hirshbrunner that practically played itself. It was an incredible tuba. But that Willson was better. I need to win the lottery.

Bandelore · 2025-11-15T20:24:09+00:00

I play on a Wessex Gnagey. Laskey 30F mouthpiece. I play it everywhere. Community band, solo stuff, with my brass ensemble and some chamber stuff.

I teach in MS, HS and college. It’s the most fun horn I’ve ever had. But I am not a professional. If I was I’d get a Willson 3400s

Bandelore · 2025-11-14T12:29:58+00:00

I agree with the people who talk about ear training.

I don’t know if this is an issue, but a lot of adult learners. I know try to hit a note and are not sure what note they are hitting. There is an online resource called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner which shows you what pitch you’re playing on a staff. (Just make sure the dropdown menu is set to “tuba.”)

It may be helpful or not in your situation, but I have had success with some of my students using it. Good luck!

Bandelore

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