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I've posted about them a lot - I've got 3 horns that are good. Good enough that I hesitate to get rid of any of them. The Gnagey 4/4 (Holton bell/King body), Miraphone 184-5U with a left hand 2/3 valve, and a MW 182 F. I don't play outside the house much (don't have the evenings or weekends to devote to a group). I keep planning a hypothetical recital in my head, but getting the space and an accompanist and finding the extra practice time to polish things up is likely unrealistic. I also live in Alaska, so it's not like it's all that easy to unload 3 horns, test horns, and get a new one up here.

MOST OF THIS IS JUST ME COMPLAINING. So if it sounds like I'm just complaining and not being solutions-oriented and I'm ignoring obvious solutions, I AM.

I've contemplated going down to one horn and getting something completely different - MW Fafner MW2250 or Conn 3J or an old Besson 3+1 Eb. I don't know that I want to spend the time learning Eb fingerings or going back to BBb. I also don't know how I'd feel going down to one horn. It's been 20+ years since I haven't had both a bass tuba and a contrabass tuba. The 182 has been with me since 2007. Haven't owned or played another bass tuba full time in that span. Played a PT10 before it and I've noodled around on a Yamaha 621 and a B&S Symphonie. But that's it.

Played a 2155, Rudy 5/4, PT6 before the Gnagey and 184.

Generally just doing exercises and etudes these days.

What would you do? Weird horn? Different style? Learn a new set of fingerings? Get rid of everything and wait for inspiration?

Based on your post, it sounds like you're the most interested in doing some sort of solo recital. Plan a youtube live or a facebook live event. Doesn't have to be a full length recital. Just 1 or 2 pieces. You could choose unaccompanied pieces to eliminate the need for an accompanist. I have considered doing that and I still might.

Stefan

I posted encouraging people to get an inexpensive bass guitar ($1XX) and learn how to play it.
Others (who own $5XX - $5XXX bass guitars) sort of changed the subject and began talking about fancy upgrades, I rolled my eyes, and the thread ended up being deleted.

Get a cheap/working bass, clean it up, watch some GOOD YouTube videos about adjusting the neck and bridge, get some strings for it - if it needs them, and put your antenna up in regards to some local band looking for a bass player to play fill-in-the-blank style. Run your bass through the band's PA for a while, as you shop for an amp.

There are some amazing bass techniques that I will never master, but being a good enough bass player is about 10% as easy to accomplish compared to being a good enough tuba player.

These are both good suggestions, thank you.

Re bass - I've been playing since I was 12. My bass (and amp, much to his dad's chagrin) is on loan to a local high schooler who wanted to play in his school pep band.

I also have lute, which scratches a slightly different itch.

Just feels weird not to be playing tuba in some way, but I can't get myself to practice, and when I do, I can't get myself to go more than 10 minutes or so.

*bad advice*

Switching horns is fun. Especially doing it all the time. Do what you want! Fafners are REALLY good…

Keep everything and wait for inspiration.

Without any knowledge on your position of the subject; what about joining a church. You mentioned being in Alaska, so I have no idea how remote you may be but I imagine that even a small community will have some sort of gathering place of worship and at least a piano/ist. Maybe not. Maybe your not interested in that Avenue. Just tossing it out there for contemplation. I like the online live recital idea too. I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution.

Yup you need a project. When I need a project, I either get a new chamber group together, take up a new instrument, or both. If you would be inspired by making yourself prepare for performance, do that. (I would run from that, but that's me.)

Stefan A wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 12:53 pm Based on your post, it sounds like you're the most interested in doing some sort of solo recital. Plan a youtube live or a facebook live event. Doesn't have to be a full length recital. Just 1 or 2 pieces. You could choose unaccompanied pieces to eliminate the need for an accompanist. I have considered doing that and I still might.

Stefan

I second both of these notions.

I hope to be up in your neck of the woods within a decade. I have a moose account in my retirement plan and a perfect tool for the job ready to go right now.

Do you have community groups available?

I keep seeing ads for people looking for musicians for virtual performance groups. The one that pops to the top of my head is the Discord Symphony.

https://www.instagram.com/discordsymphony.official/

I know nothing about this group, how they work, or the quality of their music. Only that they have solicited me to join them in the past. There are others of the same kind of idea.

Do some recording. Multitrack yourself playing all the Walter Sear duets.

bloke wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2026 1:00 pm I posted encouraging people to get an inexpensive bass guitar ($1XX) and learn how to play it.
Others (who own $5XX - $5XXX bass guitars) sort of changed the subject and began talking about fancy upgrades, I rolled my eyes, and the thread ended up being deleted.

Get a cheap/working bass, clean it up, watch some GOOD YouTube videos about adjusting the neck and bridge, get some strings for it - if it needs them, and put your antenna up in regards to some local band looking for a bass player to play fill-in-the-blank style. Run your bass through the band's PA for a while, as you shop for an amp.

There are some amazing bass techniques that I will never master, but being a good enough bass player is about 10% as easy to accomplish compared to being a good enough tuba player.

Another possibility would be to get a cheap used contrabass trombone clone, and learn that. Same as above, cheap, maybe a lead pipe swap. I can play a few scales. Has had a profound effect on breathing, and my other instruments. I bought a Kanstul and had some trigger work done. No other customizations. Good luck!

No time to practice? Then just play. Close the books, turn down the lights, and close your eyes. Then just play. A favorite piece, loved songs, or just adlib in any style you feel like. Become a friend with your tuba by just exploring and playing together. Play just before going to bed to wash out the bad things that happen during your day. Play your kids asleep, after reading to them. The main thing is to just play.

CCC

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I think probably the suggestions to pick up a project are on the right track. I don't know that playing the same old pieces on new horns would really do it.

One of the things that occurred to me this morning is that there are a lot of interesting new musicals and shows coming out. My daughter was just in a musical that was written for and about middle schoolers, and it was GREAT. Legitimately a good musical. And she's getting into having idols on Broadway, and there are a ton of new shows that are musically interesting. And those performers are constantly originating a premiering new works.

And then I looked at the summer chamber music series we could go to in town here and....I mean? Mozart, Beethoven, Dvorak, etc...And I can't get excited for it.

So. Maybe get some new pieces (like...written in the last year or two) and see if I can work them up without reference recordings.

Something that may help is sitting with a bass-line groove on a track and doing some improvisation. Do it on both horns to explore creativity.

You could even just set up at a venue and play if you wanted an audience.