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So, it had been a long time since I had a one on one lesson with a pro. Decided I should have one.

I was having problems in the low register on just a few notes. Play a Compensated Bb tuba. Feel like I was shifting emboucheres in the low range 4 + 2 down to 4 + 2+ 3 and just not nailing the notes, particularly when moving to those notes. Yet 4 + 1+3 was great, so just a specific area of the low range.

But the teacher was telling me to do the same things my last teacher from 20 years ago was saying and working on. Basically smooth controlled air. But I wasn’t doing it well.

As a result of the lesson my playing and most importantly awareness has improved. So I suggest any amateurs, which is what I am, have a lesson or two. It really helps, even if we think we know what to do we probably aren’t doing it very well, particularly if we have a problem area in our playing.

As a person who has been a full time player since the 1980s, it is a great idea to take some lessons ANYWAY! I spent a week with Jan Kagarice, a week with Patrick Sheridan, and a week with Warren Deck (took a lesson with Baadsvik and Scott Sutherland, too). It is NEVER too late to go play for someone and get some touch ups and learn something new.

I guess this could be rated as a non sequitur, but – based on what you said - I can’t help but wonder if the second piston is leaky.

Ricardo wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:07 am But the teacher was telling me to do the same things my last teacher from 20 years ago was saying and working on. Basically smooth controlled air. But I wasn’t doing it well.

Somewhat similar discovery for me, though I rediscovered the wonder of smooth controlled air after a covid break through the use of a new Schlipf practice mute. You can't really cheat one of those and get any sort of good sound.

Plus now I can practice while my wife is working.

I had a few lessons with Grant Moore back in September and October. Circumstance, travel, proximity to sick people, and whole host of other shenanigans put them on hold. Well, I'll be starting up again tonight right after work. Plans are for every other Monday. Fingers crossed!