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Good evening all!

I'm returning after a 10+ year hiatus. I played tuba through high school and a year in college in the early 2000s before focusing on studies that would ultimately lead to a professional degree. I've had an itch to get a horn, and actually did so a few years back when I purchased a MACK brass TU-200. It was a fine horn, but I had a bad experience with the local community band, and it ultimately fell to the wayside. I ended up selling it to a budding tubist in college where I'm sure it got a better workout than I ever could.

Well, I just picked up a new horn, a Mirafone 186 CC, and I'm looking for some suggestions on learning material. I already have Arban's and a copy of Bordogni. Is there such a thing as a book aimed towards self study? Any suggestions on a method book that might provide a bit more structure than Arban's?

Thanks in advance!

Stuff to play to get better?

If you can find and afford a local teacher who’s more interested in music than income then have some lessons - mostly such folk are scarce but YMMV.

Dig out second hand books of tunes and play them - stuff for other single note instruments can work. Dig out your old exercise books and use them. Find books of melodic studies and use them. Have great variety in what you play during any practice session. Arban works for some but I hated it and gave my copy away.

I like the Bach Cello suites as arranged for Brass. My particular copy is in treble clef (which is what I almost exclusively read) and I think it’s been the best money on music that I’ve ever spent - it kicks my back-side to play better and rewards me at the same time.

Find a group to play with (like a community wind band), you might like to just sit in and listen until you’re ready to play at their level.

The old Rubank books are pretty good for working back up from scratch.

matt g wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 3:39 am The old Rubank books are pretty good for working back up from scratch.

+1 this. The Rubank books are under rated. Advanced volume 1 and 2. One is actually the most useful. Two goes into keys you will seldom if ever use. However they can also be good practice material. It’s just that volume 1 covers the most common keys.

I am a fellow comeback player so I will recommend, in addition to Rubank Advanced, the Kopprash etudes volume 1 and 2 and Bordogni Bel Canto studies.

The Student Instrumental Course books are a buried treasure. They come in 3 levels, each of which has a method book, a solo book, a Tunes For Technique book, and a Studies and Melodious Etudes book. They have classical themes, folk songs, and draw technical exercises from various sources.