"I have to say I'm LOVING your tone right now! Ready to have some more fun?! Below you will find a progressive set of exercises that you can apply your new knowledge of tone and intonation to. Our tuba expert is here with us as well so you can listen to him play each exercise first, or even play along with him! Ready? Set? Let's gooooo!"
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First High Notes are A, G, F
*** You should recognize these notes from the high part of the B-flat Major scale! Keep actively listening to your tone and intonation as you play. And speaking of intonation, you will want to take note of the F you are playing, which can sound slightly sharp on the tuba since it is the 3rd partial when being played with the open fingering. If it does come out sharp, you may need to lip the note down by slightly relaxing your embouchure. Keep this in mind as you are practicing this exercise and the two that follow. ***
Catching the Highest Moonlight
*** A phrase is a musical sentence. In this exercise, try to keep your air and sound going until you get to each rest. Then you will be playing 4-measure phrases! It may be a challenge at first, and since the tuba is a larger instrument that requires more air to play, you may need to breath every 2 measures instead. ***
Mary Had Just 3 High Notes
*** Mary has the same high notes you do! You may notice the little 'comma' at the end of the 4th measure. In music, this is known as a breath mark. In addition to long rests, breath marks show where to breath so that you don't interrupt the phrases. ***
First Low Notes are D, C, B(-flat)
*** You should recognize these notes from the low part of the B-flat Major scale! It's okay if these notes are harder to play than the high ones – remember that as your embouchure gets stronger and more used to vibrating, it will become easier and you will be more successful! Regarding intonation, if you recall your knowledge on tuba pitch tendencies you will notice that the C you are playing is naturally sharp on the instrument when played with the 1st & 3rd valves. You can remedy this by playing the C with the 4th valve, if it is available, or you may need to lip the note down by slightly relaxing your embouchure. Keep this in mind as you are practicing this exercise and those that follow. ***
Catching the Lowest Moonlight
*** Just like when "catching the highest moonlight", try to keep your air and sound going until you get to each rest, allowing you to play 2- or 4-measure phrases. ***
Mary Had Just 3 Low Notes
*** Looks like Mary also has the same low notes you do! Don't forget to breathe at the breath mark, but not before then if you can make it! ***
Mary's Reaching Higher Now
*** You will notice that 4 of the first 5 notes from the beginning method book are being used here. Keep in mind the pitch tendencies of the C, which is naturally sharp unless played with the 4th valve, and the F, which can sound slightly sharp since it is the 3rd partial when being played with the open fingering. Time to reach higher! ***
Holidays with ExTon!
*** Whew, this is going to be a workout! Now we are using all 5 starting notes from the beginning method book! Some things to focus on with this longer exercise are the 2- or 4-measure phrases, the natural pitch tendencies of C (sharp on the tuba), F and E-flat (can be slightly sharp since they are both 3rd partial notes), and of course great tone! ***
Flying Along! ...
Wasn't that fun?! Well we're not done yet! Before we bring things back down to earth, there are some clips of master tubists for your Listening pleasure we would like to make available so you can continue to train your ear in the pursuit of the perfect tone!