TubaForum.net

I experimented with a really tall German Kaiser B-flat in an orchestra for a short time, and the bass trombone player told me that he was having trouble hearing me. He was accustomed to my bell being down closer to where his ears are. I'm not saying anything good or bad; I'm just saying what happened when I used an instrument like that in an ensemble for a short time.

With taller tubas, I wonder how the audience perspective (the relevant one) is different. If the tuba player hears his own sound slightly later, would he respond sooner? I think it would be very beneficial to have conductor/audience do an A/B comparison between tall and short tubas to evaluate ensemble precision.

As a euphonium player, I tire of the sound so close to my right ear. I prefer tall bells and recording bells. As an audience member, I get frustrated from not hearing euphoniums and tubas because the sound is lost behind curtains. Even in a real concert hall, the direction of the bell matters a lot more than players realize. This applies to pros, kids, and everyone in between.

I would have to suspect that there isn't much (any) difference at all from even twenty feet away - other than maybe the "color" of the sound, and only a tuba player (or someone who listens to tubas a whole lot) would notice that,, and my section mate playing the bass trombone would have gotten used to it soon enough.

Ah, late to the party, but had to comment. What a beautiful instrument! Really a remarkable horn. Love the way that thing looks. Is there any way we could get to hear it? I'm in Virginia. I think if you leaned into it real hard I might be able to hear it here.

Thanks! I haven't taken any videos yet.

Enjoy that beautiful horn!!