VOLARE

Tuba player Yukihiro Ikeda

A mouthpiece whose unique cup shape produces a remarkably rich resonance and an effortlessly smooth playing feel that never obstructs the airstream. From the very first moment in hand, the response is free of stress, and it translates the player's musical image straight into sound. What I found particularly outstanding is the seamless connection from low to high register: every range delivers an even, well-centered sound, letting you focus on musical expression. The feeling that the sound naturally settles without forcing control brings a tremendous sense of security. Self-monitoring while playing is also exceptional — you can clearly perceive your own sound, which makes it easier to balance in solos and ensembles and helps achieve more precise performances. "Volare" is a remarkably complete mouthpiece that strikes a high-level balance between technical support and musical freedom.

Graduated at the top of his class from Kunitachi College of Music, receiving the Yatabe Prize. 1st prize at the Japan Wind & Percussion Competition; 4th prize and the Judges' Special Prize in the Tuba Division at the Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition. Currently Tuba player of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Specially Appointed Professor at Tokyo College of Music, and part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Kunitachi College of Music, and Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts.

Tuba player Jun Miyanishi

What I have come to feel after years of playing VOLARE is that VOLARE is truly an "instrument." It is not merely a tool — it carries my musical ideas on my breath and delivers them, without loss, straight to the audience. The JOGO model in particular offers outstanding vibration transmission across the entire range, and will surely take performers to the next stage of expression.

Graduated from Tokyo College of Music. Completed the highest course at the Conservatoire de Versailles with top honors as a fellow of the Japanese government's overseas training program. 1st prize and special award at the Japan Wind & Percussion Competition; first Asian winner of the ITEC International Solo Competition. Currently Tuba player of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tuba player Hiroaki Shiomi

For C tuba I use "VJ-CBT-GH9S" and "VJ-CBT-GH10D"; for F tuba I use "VJ-BT-01RS." My C tuba is a 4/4-size instrument I often use in ensembles, so I rotate between these two — neither too large for that setting. At first the S type felt slightly heavy, but as I got used to it I noticed real depth in the sound. The D type is a bit lighter in weight and pulls the sound together nicely, so I now cover a wide range of situations with these two. The 01R I use on F tuba is also an S type and carries some weight, but that weight supports me and lets the instrument resonate effortlessly from top to bottom. Thanks to the 01RS, my performance of "Bydło" from Pictures at an Exhibition received high praise. From this generous lineup, please find your own favorite.

Graduated from Osaka College of Music. Tuba player of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra; part-time lecturer at Osaka College of Music and at Osaka University of Arts.

Tuba player Koji Suzuki

It feels as if a cable runs directly from my brain — I can transmit exactly the music I imagine, with a one-of-a-kind mouthpiece in my hands. With its rich lineup, anyone can try and find the "one" that lets them play just as they feel. Playing ease, intonation, tone, dynamics, and a boundless range of expression — savor that union of impressions every day. It holds even intonation through every kind of expression, with generous agogics, and naturally converts breath into sound. A truly dream-like mouthpiece.

Graduated from Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo (Special Music Course). Artist Diploma from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (USA); studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich (Germany). Studied tuba with Chitate Kagawa, Harvey G. Phillips, Robert Tucci, Manfred Hoppert, and Thomas Walsh. Former Tuba player of the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra (public-interest foundations). Part-time lecturer at Elisabeth University of Music; Guest Professor at Wuhan Conservatory of Music, China.

Euphonium player Kaoru Tsuyuki

After years of doubts about the mouthpiece I had been using, I tried many alternatives, and this newly designed mouthpiece was a dead-center strike. The core is firm, the sound projects beautifully, and the brightness of tone is outstanding. It speaks evenly from low to high register, and the playability is superb.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Won 1st prize in the 6th Japan Wind & Percussion Competition while studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. Currently Professor at Nagoya College of Music and Visiting Professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

Euphonium player Hiromi Kurosawa

Until just a few years ago, we euphonium players were used to picking from trombone mouthpieces and hoping to find something that suited us. More recently, wonderful "made-for-euphonium" models — developed or supervised by renowned euphonium soloists at home and abroad — have begun to appear from many manufacturers. And now, a euphonium mouthpiece that pushes materials, aerodynamic research, design, and machining precision to their limits has been born from a single maker. The sheer breadth of this lineup is, without doubt, a great hope for us. I would love every player to experience for themselves the "this is different!" sensation that travels up from the rim the very moment it touches your lips.

Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. Encouragement Prize at the 8th Europe-Japan Music Course. Selected at the 9th Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition. Leader of the Trailblazers Ten-Piece Brass. Released the CD "A La Carte." Currently active as a freelance performer and educator.