Renowned tubist and educator, Chris Olka, has long searched for a mouthpiece that blends tonal richness with comfort, power and control. The result are the Laskey Olka Signature Tuba Mouthpieces, models designed to handle the full range of contrabass playing with ease, from delicate chamber works to the most demanding orchestral passages. Whether you’re anchoring the low end of a brass section or stepping out for a solo, this mouthpiece delivers a resonant, warm sound that projects clearly and consistently across all dynamics.
Built with a medium-wide, deep funnel cup and a rounded, comfortable rim, the Olka 31PF BBb/CC Contrabass Tuba Mouthpiece offers a secure feel and effortless response throughout the register. Its balanced design helps support flexibility and endurance, making it an ideal choice for players who need one mouthpiece that does it all. Chris and the team at Laskey spent countless hours refining this model to meet the real-world demands of professional tubists who value tone, response, and all-day playability in equal measure.
In Chris Olka's own words: "This mouthpiece is the perfect all-around contrabass tuba mouthpiece. It works equally well as a solo mouthpiece and in the back of large ensembles. Making a warm and clear sound that projects effortlessly at any dynamic is a hallmark of this model. It’s comfortable rim helps improve flexibility and support in long playing sessions."
The Olka 29SF Eb/F Bass Tuba Mouthpiece is engineered for a clear, focused, and vibrant tone that projects effortlessly in any setting. Its mid-shallow bowl gives bass tuba players enhanced clarity and definition without sacrificing stability or range, making it the ideal choice for musicians called upon to perform a wide range of musical styles.
In Chris Olka's own words: "If you’ve been looking for a comfortable and versatile bass-tuba mouthpiece that sacrifices nothing in tone or response, this is it!"
Chris Olka has held orchestra positions in Cincinnati Symphony, Pops, Opera and Ballet, as well as Seattle Symphony and Opera. His other orchestral experience includes Principal Tuba of Gerard Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa’s Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra, Guest Principal Tuba with the Boston and Chicago Symphonies, New York Philharmonic, and National Orchestra of Spain.
From 1989 to 1999, Chris was an active freelancer working as staff musician in the Walt Disney World bands in Florida and brass quintets, dixieland bands, and most of the major orchestras in the New York area while completing his Masters degree at The Juilliard School.
An active soloist and advocate of solo tuba literature, Chris has performed around the world in recital and masterclass in addition to numerous orchestra, brass band, and wind ensemble solo appearances. His premiere of the Samuel Jones Concerto for Tuba, recorded with the Seattle Symphony, can be heard on the Naxos label.
A pioneer in the use of internet and social media to reach new audiences, Chris started a YouTube channel in 2011 dedicated to education, product reviews, and all things tuba-related. His channel has thousands of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of views from around the globe. His website, chrisolka.com also hosts these videos along with a growing catalog of transcriptions of music arranged for solo tuba.
His teachers include Warren Deck, Joe Alessi, Abe Torchinsky, and Don Harwood.
Chris is proud to be a Laskey Mouthpieces and Eastman Winds Performing Artist.