I used to start my beginner 6th grade tuba students on the Bach 32E. As they grew physically larger, I moved them to a Helleberg 7B.

Posting this for a friend who is a fellow Kentucky grad and Rex Conner student, at the request of his wife. Ed had a major stroke some time back and had to give up playing. They will use the money to help pay a daughter's big medical bills. Description and contact info in the photo. Located in ...

Our formerly-named tuba-euphonium ensemble now reinvented as the Low Brass Ensemble at our first Octoberfest performance of the year. We had a hard time finding 2 euphonium players who were willing to be regulars, and our lead euphonium was a trombonist in real life. The new trombone player on the ...

Many years ago (like 50), I was practicing 4-5 hours a day, 7 days per week. At some point, my lips/ears/brain refused to play the third line D. All other notes were fine, but the D wouldn't go. In talking to the trombone teacher on a Friday, he suggested I take the weekend off from practicing. I ...

During my band directing days in the 1990s, we had a local orthodontist who provided something that did the trick, but I don't remember exactly what it was that covered the "barbs". His daughter was a fine horn player, so he had an interest in helping those kids, including my own two children. I ...

I bought a 184 CC from one of the members here, to be my "old man" horn. Great player, a little "barky" until I found a mouthpiece that worked well (for me) with it. I love this horn.

Definitely my CC Meinl-Weston (Getzen) Model 30. Very nice-playing horn. In the mid 1980s when I was a high school band director, I thought I'd never play seriously again, and children and house payments became a thing, so the money was helpful. But we would have made it had I not sold it. Been ...

bloke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 7:48 pm
I was taught to PUSH the cases with small and not-widely-spaced wheels.

I always push the cases, whether the wheels are large or small. Perhaps I should just slow down. Oh well, not a problem any more. My 184 only has a gig bag, and a wheeled dolly does the carrying.

Most of those that I've encountered have wheels that are somewhat recessed into the case and are way too small. They are hard to keep in balance while rolling. The ones with larger wheels are really nice to roll, but they require more room in the car and in storage.

What I own, the MIraphone 184 CC is exactly what I needed. It's light to carry and takes less air, which has helped a lot. What I wish to own is my old Meinl-Weston model 30 CC. It seemed to take less air (more free-blowing) than the Miraphone 186, and I have never had another tuba with quite as ...

Great job, Bill! I enjoyed that, and it was obviously fun for everyone!

I'm recovering from my 3rd round of bronchitis since Christmas. I've been playing a lot of euphonium, since our ensemble doesn't yet have a reliable 2nd euphonium player, and our community band euphonium section is weak. That helped as it took less air. Finally started back on the tuba yesterday ...

@bloke tclements I think the three of us said the same thing in our own language, but bloke, your premise is absolutely correct. I started in the 70s writing for Rex Conner's tuba ensembles, all of which featured 4 tubas and no euphoniums. He emphasized the upper register, and we had one guy who ...

Having conducted tuba ensembles since 1982, I consider myself somewhat of an expert in this regard. Many (MANY!) arrangements just are not voice very well. MOST of them can be fixed if you put the 3rd part up an octave, played by lead euphonium, play the 'first' part by euph 2, and the 2nd euph ...

I am almost 73 and had a bout with Covid in 2021. Although it was a mild case, it apparently reduced my lung capacity. Last year, Mary Ann graciously sold me a nice Miraphone 1972 model 184 CC (considered a 3/4), and I sold my 4/4 "Miraclone" 186 copy. The 184 plays a little "barky" and requires ...

Nice! Wish we could get the Like/Thank button back.

Rex Conner's "spaceship" mute, which he designed in coordination with an acoustics professor at the University of Kentucky, sat in his (well, Skip Gray's, at the time) office during my time at UK and was occasionally tried out on a lark. A really curious thing. Almost a tuba Harmon mute, with tons ...

While my 50-year-old Miraphone CC is in the shop for a chem cleaning, I needed to borrow a tuba for community band and tuba ensemble. I have been telling the tuba instructor at the local university that there was a 4-valve Getzen Meinl-Weston model 30 that I played when it was new in 1971, and being ...

I got my masters degree in performance (50 years ago) with no intention of being a professional performer. I had a music education degree and wanted to become the best player I could be so I could be the best teacher I could be. I taught public school band for 33 years and loved it. I am currently ...

Three Valves wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 6:20 pm If the pill were a large capsule, one could put it in their ear to prevent hearing loss.

Like putting an aspirin between ones knees for birth control.

That was my thought, too.