Saturday, May 28, 2011

Do You Want To Learn The Tuba

The tuba is the deepest sounding instrument of the brass family and provides the bass notes for this group of instruments.
The tuba comes in variable shapes depending on whether it is played in brass and military bands or an orchestra.

Orchestral Tubas

Because the player is sitting, orchestral tubas are designed to sit on players laps as it is so heavy. The brass tube is coiled like that of a trumpet or horn. The large circular opening called the bell faces upwards and to the players left or right. There are valves which open more tubing and make the instrument deeper in pitch. There are usually four valves but some tubas have five or six valves.

Varieties of Orchestral Tubas include
:


Tenor Tuba: These have a narrowish tube and a funnel shaped mouthpiece like a horn.
Bass Tuba: These are shaped like a horn.
Double Bass Tuba: These have a wide conical tube and a cup shaped mouthpiece like a trumpet.

These three types of tubas were made for Robert Wagners' Operas called The Ring of the Nibelungs.

An orchestra usually has one tuba.

Military Band Tubas:
Because the player is standing they are designed to be carried on the players shoulders.


Varieties include:

Euphonium: Low Bb is the lowest note.
Eb Bass: This has a lower note
Double Bb Bass: This produces the lowest sound of the three instruments
Helicon: This is a circular shaped double Bb Bass
Soussaphone: This is a circular shaped Eb Bass.

You need to decide if you would like to be part of an orchestra or military band playing the low notes to your group. If you are keen to learn an instrument; do you want to learn the orchestral or military style of tuba?

Friday, May 27, 2011

Home Studio Recording Gear

It is time to record your musical talent- either as a solo artist or as a small group such as a band.

1. Computer:

2. Software:

3. Audio Box:

They improve sound quality and create zero latency.

1. This is a great audio box for beginners because it offers a 2 channel interface which allows for the use of condenser microphones which require 48V Phantom power and dynamic microphone/guitar 1/4 input jack plugin. It is also the most usable because it connects to the USB on the computer instead of requiring a firewire port. Don't let the price fool you this is the best Audion interface on the market for the beginner.

2. If you happen to have a firewire port on your computer (most computers today come with them) then the PreSonus Inspire Firewire Recording interface is recommended. The little extra money is worth spending.

3. Microphone:

4. Instrument:

5. Moniter