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I have noticed that over the last year I have to pull my tuning slides out more - I seem to be playing sharper than I used to. It doesn't matter what mouthpiece I use, it seems to be me. What physiological reasons could cause this? Hmmm

Thermostat set in the same spot?

matt g wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 3:15 pm Thermostat set in the same spot?

LOL, yep. It is just a trend I have noticed whether it is indoors, outdoors, at home, at church....wherever.

Stryk wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 2:45 pm I have noticed that over the last year I have to pull my tuning slides out more - I seem to be playing sharper than I used to. It doesn't matter what mouthpiece I use, it seems to be me. What physiological reasons could cause this? Hmmm

GlObAL wArMiNg man..your tuba is trying to tell you something.

Perhaps you are unconsciously playing closer to the top of the slot, or using a higher chops/air ratio than you used to.

When I was recovering (as far as I have) from dystonia I had to play with a very high air/chops ratio, and even with the tuning slide all the way in (horn, not tuba) and my hand somewhat out of the bell, I was still flat. As I found a way to use a little more chops in the mix, the slide came out a half inch.

The opposite of sharp is not flat.
The opposite of sharp is dull.

Playing your 184 CC is making you sharp. I'll help you out by taking it off your hands.

What is the relative position of your jaw now compared to before COVID-19? Sometimes, if the jaw is too tight, it will decrease the volume of the oral cavity or through the throat and larnyx, causing the velocity of the air to slightly increase and make everything go sharp. When I got back into playing my tuba a couple of months ago in preparation of the community band I play in opening back up, I had to be very careful with my airflow and support that it was measured, what we all have heard referred to as "big air."

cjk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:11 am Playing your 184 CC is making you sharp. I'll help you out by taking it off your hands.

This probably sounds presumptuous, but I believe I have a better solution than some offered by the freak jury:

Play into your tuner at your comfortable/sharp overall pitch level. Aurally concentrating on the the quality of the sonority, lower the pitch.
If the sonority is best at the sharper level, simply lengthen your instrument, and - if the sonority is better at the lower pitch level, change your playing.

iiipopes wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:36 am What is the relative position of your jaw now compared to before COVID-19? Sometimes, if the jaw is too tight, it will decrease the volume of the oral cavity or through the throat and larnyx, causing the velocity of the air to slightly increase and make everything go sharp.

I was working on lowering the jaw this morning. We will see where that goes...also looking at lung capacity. Dr says it is diminished, but the test shows 6.54 liters - that seems pretty good to me.

Have you been playing less, overall, than a year ago?

jtm wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:39 pm Have you been playing less, overall, than a year ago?

I was wondering the opposite.

bloke wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:52 pm

jtm wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:39 pm Have you been playing less, overall, than a year ago?

I was wondering the opposite.

More for sure.

Stryk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 3:27 pm

bloke wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:52 pm

jtm wrote: ↑Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:39 pm Have you been playing less, overall, than a year ago?

I was wondering the opposite.

More for sure.

a stronger vibration fuel source (air stream) and stronger vibrating surface - likely - results in slightly higher pitch.

The key to lowering the pitch is to be constantly moving AWAY from the listener / tuner / recorder. Works every time.

Better to be sharp than wrong