John Kinyon's Basic Training Course, Book 2: Tuba Book

Kinyon's method approach balances individual tuba instruction with large ensemble needs without sacrificing either. The Book 2 material moves students forward with purposeful skill building while remaining accessible enough for mixed-ability sections in concert band settings.

Steady and intentional. The material builds step by step with clear pedagogical purpose, never rushing beyond what students have mastered. Exercises feel manageable rather than overwhelming, encouraging confidence as fundamentals solidify.

This book serves beginning tuba students working one-on-one with a private instructor, tuba sections learning together in a band setting, or young players first encountering the instrument in a mixed concert band. Kinyon's design allows the same material to function across all three contexts without adaptation.

• Anchor the low end with a consistent embouchure foundation; these early exercises establish habits that carry through all advanced tuba repertoire.
• Balance tone production between single-note precision and phrase awareness; rushing to move through pages diminishes the foundational work Kinyon has structured into each lesson.
• Use the graded difficulty progression to identify where individual students need extra work before advancing to new concepts.

Use Book 2 as your foundation curriculum for any tuba student entering their second year of study, whether they're in a full band program or receiving private lessons. The systematic approach integrates naturally with your band's rehearsal demands without requiring supplementary materials.

• Breath control and phrase management
• Intonation awareness across the tuba's range
• Rhythmic accuracy in elementary patterns
• Legato and articulated tone production
• Reading in bass clef with fluency
• Foundational valve technique and coordination