Wessex Tubas: Encouraging the next generation

Wessex Tubas is passionate about encouraging the next generation of players and has backed that passion with action by harnessing ‘pro’ player talent to design instruments specifically for the young, starter player – Nicola Bland reports

There are so many reasons to encourage children and young people to not only to start learning a brass instrument in school, but also to stick with it, including improving memory and hand-to-eye co-ordination, fostering a healthy social life and unexpected travel opportunities.

Everyone knows how wonderful playing a brass instrument can be, but often - particularly when you’re just starting out - it can also be incredibly challenging; frustrating when you can’t quite get a handle on that piece of music you love, or a little upsetting when you feel like you could be behind your classmates.

We all remember those times. However, it’s rising up to these challenges and mastering all the intricacies of music making that makes it all worthwhile.

That’s why it’s so important to get the instrument right - finding the one piece of brass that each student really connects with - that becomes an extension of their creativity and allows their personality to shine.

Wessex Tubas is well known for its extensive range of tubas for musicians of all ages and abilities, and alongside the tubas the Company also designs and manufactures the whole range of brass instruments that could easily equip almost an entire school band, from cornets and trumpets, to euphoniums and saxophones.

Said MD of Wessex Tubas, Jonathan Hodgetts: “Created by a team of professional players, our instruments are specifically designed with ease-of- use in mind, together with great projection and intonation. They offer amazing quality at genuinely affordable prices, which encourages lasting commitment to music making.

“A perfect example of this is our Eb Tuba Junior ‘Elf’. An ideal ‘starter’ tuba and an original Wessex design inspired by British classics, the lightweight ‘Elf’ is specifically designed for younger musicians, complete with a lower positioned mouth pipe and a special, smaller-sized mouthpiece.”

Jonathan concluded: “Given the right brass instrument, children and young people can positively thrive, developing essential life skills that they can carry with them, not only throughout their education, but also throughout their whole life.”

To learn more about the Wessex range of brass instruments for schools and students, visit: www.wessextubas.com

THE ‘ELF’ SPEC

Three-piston valve, non-compensating
Key: Eb
Bell: 15″ (38cm)
Bore: 0.629 (16mm)
Weight: 13lb (5.9kg)
Height: 31″ (79cm)
Mouthpiece height from bottom bow: 20″ (51cm)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Wessex unique JT tuba mouthpiece,
ideal for children
Robust ABS latched case with wheels