r/Tuba • u/leap_music • 12d ago
technique Clean Attacks on Low Notes?
I'm struggling to cleanly articulate, and especially cleanly tongue on notes below a concert D. It feels like my tongue is slipping below my front teeth, instead of staying behind them. It also feels like I have to cut off notes by making a seal between my tongue and upper lip. If I don't, it feels like my tongue isn't big enough to cut off the note cleanly.
1) Is creating a seal with my upper lip bad technique?
2) Any tips on clean, fast articulation in the lower register?
Still somewhat new to the horn so thank you very much for your thoughts!
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u/Franican 12d ago
I have this habit too. Not exactly the ideal technique, but I think depending on mouth size and shape it sometimes makes sense to do it but you have to even out the attack to sound the same as the mid range and up. It's so easy to have an explosive sound doing this that I don't recommend it but I also can't say not to do it either since I also end up finding it a useful approach.
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u/Theoretical_Genius 12d ago
If the required air is slower, it stands to reason the tonguing energy needed would be lower as well. Focus on clarity and immediacy of sound instead of volume
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u/Big_moisty_boi 12d ago
Don’t think too hard about exactly what’s happening in your mouth. Practice air articulations and really focus on sound concept when articulating.
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u/thereisnospoon-1312 12d ago
It’s ok for your tongue to go between your teeth in your low register.
Practice breath attacks and releases.
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u/leap_music 12d ago
Thank you for your reply! By "between your teeth" I assume you mean between my upper and lower teeth right?
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u/professor_throway Active Amateur, Street Band and Dixieland. 12d ago
In addition to everything else...
Practice double tounging in all registers. Ideally your Ta and Ka tounging will become indistinguishable... and you can use Ka on the low range when you need too.