Posted by Scott on September 25, 2001 at 00:43:46:
In Reply to: Re: Re: playing louder posted by Another quiet tubist on September 24, 2001 at 20:15:30:
I think you need to go just beyond a good tone and really push your dynamic comfort level. The comfort level is the real issue. It may get a little ugly, but you need to get to a point where your embousure (sp?) can control a high dynamic, then the sound will follow. Beginners usually get bad sounds at high dynamics either because of tension or because the muscles are not strong enough to control the sound. Essentially they overblow their embousures. I believe you have to deal with extremes in both directions when working dynamics, and that means getting a little brassy at times. Just keep very relaxed when doing the exercise and have a sound concept that you are shooting for. Think big more that just loud. Listen to as many recordings as you can that have the sound you want to achieve. Without that concept, you won't know what is the right sound and when you are, or are not, achieving that sound.
Above all, go get some lessons from a reputable teacher. That's really the only way to go.
Scott