Switching from woodwind instruments to tuba..?

Question

I currently play the oboe, flute, tenor sax, and somewhat of the clarinet in my high school band, and I was wondering: would it be hard to switch to a brass instrument (namely tuba)? The two main instruments I play are the oboe and the tenor. I taught myself how to play both of them, and according to my band teacher, I'm skilled in both. It took me a few weeks to learn the tenor, and a few moths to learn/get a good sound out of the oboe.Our brass line in marching band is extremely weak, and less than half of them can play their instruments/parts. I know the school will supply a tuba for me, but my parents are hesitant to let me switch to another instrument, namely because I bought a tenor sax about a half a year ago, and they want me to stick with it for all four years in high school. Will switching to tuba mess up my embourchure for oboe? Is tuba a relatively easy instrument to learn? And how do I convince my parents to let me switch?
Thank you.

Answer 1

If you're going to study music in college with the idea of becoming a band director one day: 1) you have to learn all of the instruments anyway, may as well learn them now 2) musicians that are versatile (play many instruments well) get the best scholarship offers 3) being able to read fluently in bass and treble clef will help you get an A in theory.

It's no harder or easier to learn than any other instrument. One thing that really stands out to me in your question is the comment "Our brass line in marching band is extremely weak..." which implies to me that you are a leader among the musicians there and truly interested in your band. That's college scholarship material right there. It says "I want to do what makes the band better" and college directors will release big money for that attitude.

How about: oboe in symphonic band or orchestra, sax in jazz band, tuba in marching band... and don't forget to sing in church or school choir. Find a piano, bass, and drummer and play some sax with them as a traditional jazz standards group too - great way to make a few extra dollars in most towns.

Answer 2

Your parents should be thrilled that you have a great interest and talent in music. They don't have to buy the instrument so that financial burden is lifted. I don't know how many great parts there are out there for tuba though so I'd be hesitant to switch entirely. My oldest was a clarinet player but he wanted to be in the Jazz Band so he taught himself the tenor sax. When he was marching he played the sax but for most auditions and concerts he was playing the clarinet. My second is an Alto Sax player and plays the bass guitar and piano. My third is a trumpet player who wants to give it up! I don't know how old you are but it sounds to me like music might be your "thing"... maybe you will be a music teacher or go to college and study music. If that's the case, tell your parents that's what you're planning and they had better get used to change now! Can your band teacher teach you tuba? Ask to take the tuba home for Christmas break and spend some time playing before you make a hasty decision. Maybe you can take a few 1/2 hour lessons at a local music store so you don't have to invest a lot of time and money into it...

Good luck. Play on..........

Answer 3

You should go for it. I think any oppurtunity to learn an istrument should be taken up. Playing bras is very different than playing woodwind. It takes much more mouth control to play brass and you lose some of the light touch control you learn to do with your mouth for woodwind intruments. This means if you get the hang of the tuba you wont be able to play your sax properly right away. you cant realy go from playing one to the playing the other, like the way you could play a sax and then a piano right away no problem. If you play the tuba you will lose the skills you need for the sax but not completely. If you want to take back up the sax you just need to stop playing the tuba.

Answer 4

I think you should go for it if you want. Woodwind player switchovera do really well. And a lot of times a flute switchover to a tuba works out really good. And you could always play the other instruments during concert band. Or if you try the tuba and don't like it you'll have those to fall back on.

Answer 5

I'd stick to woodwinds at this point because you already have a wide variety of instrument. Playing a brass instrument is very different to woodwind though it is perfectly possible to play both (i've played trumpet and clarinet and sax for years) however getting a genuinely good tone out of brass instrument requires a lot of technique and i don't think teaching yourself over a short period of time would accomplish this. Stick with what you know and get really good, that would be more rewarding for you in the long term.

Answer 6

Well, it's going to be easy for you to read the music, and learning the particular fingerings isn't going to be too hard. The embouchure used for brass instruments is obviously much different, and you will have to train your mouth's muscles. As far as it messing up your emouchure, I don't think that will be a problem for you because with wind instruments the reed actually goes in your mouth and they don't with brass ones. It's a whole different feel so I don't think you'll have trouble. And the cool thing is that once you learn tuba all the other brass instruments are that much easier to do on sight. Good luck!

Answer 7

It sounds like you are musically inclined to play any instrument so if you haven't found the one instrument that really makes you happy - tell your parents and move on. I played the Clarinet, Violin, and then wound up playing the Piano...which will always be my passion. It was my passion from the moment I touched the keys and made music. Plus I can sing with my instrument as well. So in short- your parents maybe frustrated because you are switching so much, but I still think it is great you are doing any instrument at all. It is so good for your health and well being.
Good Luck Sweetie♥

Answer 8

I think you'd be bored with the tuba. The lines are less dynamic, and the fingering and mouth control are simplistic compared to the oboe or sax.

It would be good to learn I think, fun and the more instruments the better, but unless you can drop it when you get bored it would stink to be stuck playing the tuba the whole year.

Answer 9

i had a friend that switched from clarinet to tuba when she was a junior in high school. If she can do it...you can do it. Just takes practice.

One thing to think about is how extremely heavy the tuba is. It's a REAL workout, and you have to be in pretty good shape to march with it.

Answer 10

i think that playing a brass instrument won't wreck your embourcher, but make it more versatile. it could even help your development of playing your other instruments too. It's also good for your brain, learning how do play different instruments and all. i would go for it. good luck.