| Contents |
Preface -- History. Serpent, bass horn, Russian bassoon, ophicleide, the valve, the first tuba, subsequent developments -- Bibliography -- Breathing. Introduction, concepts, the mouthpiece, position of the mouthpiece, posture, the three registers, a continuous action, a reasonable expectation, the upper lip, the amount of lip in the mouthpiece, pedal tones, puffing the cheeks, beards and moustaches, tone, the body as a resonator, quality of tone, the stuffy sound, the hissing sound, vibrato, mutes, care of the lips, some teaching remarks, questions -- Tonguing. Concepts, articulation, placement, syllables, relation to the breath, relation to the embouchure, stopping the sound, multiple tonguing, exercises -- Fingering. Introduction, three aspects, fingering reflexes, finger patterns, greater sensitivity, alternate fingerings, physical considerations, a word about glissandi, fake notes, fingering charts -- Tuning. Introduction, two methods, prerequisites, general tuning, stroboscopic tuners, equal temperament vs. just intonation, common weaknesses, the advantage of the fourth valve, mutes, the reason for the compensating tuba -- The warm-up. Purpose, physical considerations, two complimentary methods, exercises -- Mouthpiece practice. Introduction, advantages, considerations, three areas of application, the mouthpiece ring, words of caution, singing in addition to mouthpiece practice -- Care. Ten general rules, oiling valves, dents, removing mouthpiece dents, leaks, outside cleaning, lacquer protection, inside cleaning, slides, sticky rotary valves, dismantling a tuba rotary valve, removing stubborn slides, care clinics -- Buying a tuba. Tone, tuning, valve action, comfort, pitch, regular or compensating system, construction, piston or rotary valves, upright, recording bell or sousaphone, lacquer or silver finish, used tubas -- Buying a mouthpiece. Concepts, sound, facial features, shank size, pouches, changing mouthpieces, a personal recommendation -- Choosing a tuba student. Several things to ignore, three basic concerns -- Literature. Methods, studies and excerpts, solos, ensembles, purchasing music -- Appendix. Examples of breathing opportunities, exercises for reaching new high notes. |
