I`m a string player by nature and I specialize on bass. Well in the marching band at my school, there`s only three tuba/susa phone players, which is not preferable. I think seven is standard... But one of the tubists wanted to recruit more players and he conned me into playing tuba. So now, he`s giving me lessons on tuba, and I`ll be teaching him bass soon. But one of the flautists in the band told me that she wanted to learn bass, and I`ve always had a facination of flutes, so we`re going to trade lessons as well.

After all that preface, does anyone know if building up my embrochure for tuba would effect my embrochure for flute? Thanks for any input.

Hi, I think it will effect your embrochure for flute. But if you are only playing the flute for fun I don`t think it`s a very big problem.
I play the flute and the alto sax. somethimes I play clarinet, trumpet, oboe, etc just for fun and when I start playing on my flute directly after playing on an other instrument my sound is not really good.
But when you practise with changing from instrument you get used to it. Because I play flute and Sax very often I can change from flute to sax and from sax to flute, without embrochure - problems.
greetz, joyce

This is where i come from, im a natural flutist. ive been playing for 5 years .. i had an off year so it woudla been 6. and ive been playing tuba for two. After maching season when i played tuba i noticed my embrochure was improved. i think this is because of the large mouth piece and style of buzzing. it strengthens your outer lips unlike the way a trumpet or clarinet would. I could jsut be a special case though.

<b> NO! </b>
I hate to NOT agree with you, but no, it will not. The way you play the tuba is a lot more different than the way you play the flute. Even if you are used to "buzzing" your lips when you play the tuba, it will not effect you playing the flute! Fortunately! That is because even if you get used to all different intsturments, you see, i play the viola, cello, flute, clarinet, piccolo, and the trumpet. So I buzz, bow and "whistle"! My friend, Naomi plays the flute and she sometimes whistles into the flute, that does not matter. To make a embrochure for your flute is just putting your lips slightly together, and tightening the corners of your mouth. To buzz, you just have to put your lips tight against your teeth, like braces and buzz. Same! It won`t effect it, trust me! I play all instrumetns, and I`m good at all of them, except sometimes the clarinet coz the reed breaks, but don`t freak out! TRUST ME!!! If you always play the tuba and you "accidentaly" buzz into your flute, DO NOT WORRY!! You will gradually get used to buzzing and blowing. As long as you practice both, then you will do well!!! I know this is long, but I am trying to make you feel better, and not to be so stressed about this!! The blowing of the flute is a bit lighter, and if you want, you can also ask your teacher or some kind of tutor that can play woodwinds and brass, to make you get used to it. I am NOT lying that I play all those instruments. I LOVE MUSIC!! I am ADDICTED to it!!! I hope you understand this passage of what I mean, and I always have time to talk to you on MSN, just as I have time to do what i love to do - PLAY MUSIC!!!

(Cont. lol) Also, if you can, practice a few mouth procedures and facial procedures to exercise your mouth, so your embrochure for the flute AND for the tuba can both be strenghtend very much.........

-Mandy Tsai

i think it will change the flute embochure(sry bout the sp) but i know a fried who plays the bassoon and made it in to region past to years and is amazing and also is realllly really good at flute and she`s only played it for oooo 7 months or so..... i`d say just work at keep the embochure the way it should and don`t worry!