Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Tubas, euphoniums, mouthpieces, and anything music-related.
Forum rules
This section is for posts that are directly related to performance, performers, or equipment. Social issues are allowed, as long as they are directly related to those categories. If you see a post that you cannot respond to with respect and courtesy, we ask that you do not respond at all.
Post Reply
pompatus
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:46 pm
Location: Central Texas, USA
Has thanked: 56 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by pompatus »

A lot of the “beginner” books tend to be more band/ensemble focused. Are there recommendations for a solid book of tuba studies for a self-led tuba “beginner”, who has experience on brass and reading in multiple clefs?

Possibly something in the public domain, that might be downloadable, so a guy could save a buck?


-Boosey & Co. Imperial Model Eb bass with Denis Wick 5 mouthpiece
User avatar
bloke
Mid South Music
Posts: 19317
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:55 am
Location: western Tennessee - near Memphis
Has thanked: 3851 times
Been thanked: 4101 times

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by bloke »

I'm pretty sure you can find the rubank intermediate and advanced books as PDFs online, whether or not they are legal. That stuff is really pretty good for people who can play but need to step their game up a little bit before they really jump into some more difficult books.
These users thanked the author bloke for the post (total 2):
Mary Ann (Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:52 am) • pompatus (Tue Jul 09, 2024 5:18 pm)
User avatar
Mary Ann
Posts: 3031
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:24 am
Has thanked: 519 times
Been thanked: 598 times

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by Mary Ann »

Agreed -- I'm in your boat, OP. Multi-clef and multi-brass player. It took me a while for the embouchure to loosen up enough to play tuba, but it is entirely doable with just a bit of structure. Bloke's advice is good.
I used the Canadian Brass intermediate quintet book, playing along with the CD, as a major means of practice. It got me where I needed to be. You already know all the scales and arpeggios etc.
User avatar
bloke
Mid South Music
Posts: 19317
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:55 am
Location: western Tennessee - near Memphis
Has thanked: 3851 times
Been thanked: 4101 times

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by bloke »

Play alongs are good. I've never played along using an etude book, but playing along with an accompaniment for a solo that's at my preferred tempo has helped me perform those solos with more confidence, and completely be ready when I performed in front of an orchestra, or something like that. It also helps keep my tuning honest.

I'm not referring to students who aren't ready for prime time and - sadly - don't know it, but when some particularly fine players record Bordogni/Rochut vocalises and put them on YouTube, I think it would be more instructive were they to perform them with the accompaniments - which were originally written to go with them.
User avatar
russiantuba
Posts: 354
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:04 am
Location: Circleville, Ohio
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 96 times
Contact:

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by russiantuba »

With adult students and older students who have switched instruments, I use the Rubank.

Music education wasn’t as prominent in schools until after WWII. These books were written in the 1930s. I find with the way they progress and as fast as they do, while incorporating some more famous melodies, it leans towards independent study as was likely its original intent.
These users thanked the author russiantuba for the post (total 3):
WC8KCY (Tue Jul 09, 2024 9:11 am) • pompatus (Tue Jul 09, 2024 5:18 pm) • York-aholic (Wed Jul 10, 2024 9:07 am)
Dr. James M. Green
Lecturer in Music--Ohio Northern University
Adjunct Professor of Music--Ohio Christian University
Gronitz PF 125
Miraphone 1291CC
Miraphone Performing Artist
www.russiantuba.com
User avatar
bloke
Mid South Music
Posts: 19317
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:55 am
Location: western Tennessee - near Memphis
Has thanked: 3851 times
Been thanked: 4101 times

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by bloke »

You'll need to be able to listen to yourself and evaluate yourself with constructive criticism.

"Being so busy playing" that you aren't able to completely ALSO listen to yourself AND/OR getting pissed off at repeated mistakes isn't going to get you very far down the road...but you already know these things... :thumbsup:
These users thanked the author bloke for the post:
pompatus (Tue Jul 09, 2024 5:18 pm)
User avatar
Richard III
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:48 am
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: Self-Led Tuba Studies?

Post by Richard III »

What you play doesn't have to say Tuba on it to be valuable for your development. Admittedly, I'm a trumpet/french Horn/baritone/euphonium convert and only play treble clef. But when I got to Tuba, I pulled out books and solos for any of those instruments and got to work. It really doesn't matter what is on the page, just play it.
Post Reply