Posted by Sterling on February 24, 2000 at 22:53:31:
In Reply to: As cheeks poke out like Dizzy Gillespie posted by Ralph on February 24, 2000 at 07:38:01:
The main reason it is generally taught that you should not puff your cheeks when you play is because of note attack. The tuba and the mouthpiece are specifically designed to focus the air movement through the center of the leadpipe w/a strong direct force behind it. The more you direct the support through the instrument, obviously the more clear your tone will be. You must visualize your air entering the tuba in a solid wind tunnel that leads strait into the core. However, all of that movement begins from you and if your cheeks are all puffed out to left and right, the attack on the note is less accurate resulting in sloppy playing(even though you may THINK it sounds like a professionally trained tubist). Your mouth helps guide the air correctly into the horn and by having solid walls(pulled in cheeks) in your mouth that see the last of your air before it goes through that tuba, the note will come out more direct and even more quickly. Thus, in the end your playing will become more even more punctual and accurate. Trust me, if you're as good as you say you are, with this slight modification, you should be better than those pros!!! Just my 2 cents. By the way, that was just a little joke, please don't take offense.