|
|
 |
Scotch
(481 points)
| 
Apparently there are a variety of instruments going by the name tuba. Which would you consider closest to standard? Which would a tuba player be most likely to own? What is its usable range?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
Um well this is a dificult question. There are several types of tubas, the ones people most refer to are the bass and contra bass tubas. Then there are the Baritone and alto tubas (Euphoniums).
The standard depends on where you live. In the US the standard band instrument is BBb, and orchestra is CC. I play both. Then there are specialized Bass tubas, the Eb and the F, used mostly for works such as the Vaughan Willams concerto.
For band I do play the CC because it sounds the best. But I can also play the BBb. If you become a Tuba performance major in college YOU HAVE to learn all 4. It isn't that difficult, I picked up CC this year (junior year in Highschool) and it is pretty easy. Sounds so much better than BBb.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotch
(481 points)
|
Thanks.
| The standard depends on where you live. |
|
Northern middle of the United States.
| In the US the standard band instrument is BBb, and orchestra is CC. |
|
Usable ranges?
| If you become a Tuba performance major in college YOU HAVE to learn all 4. |
|
Do you have to own all four as well?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
Ok in the US, the standard is CC.
What do you mean by its useable range? If you mean,"what is it appropriate for" then it is appropriate for anything from Orchestra to band, to a chamber brass ensemble. For jazz playing, it may be a bit too bright, and usually Eb's are used.
No, You don't have to own all 4. Many just own 2, depending on their major instrument. My Major instument is CC, so I would mostly likely own a CC and F when I go to college. Usually BBb players play and Eb. Colleges typically (with a good music program) have Eb's and f's to lend out. And almost all have some BBb's and CC's. I think that it is better to own your own contrabass tuba before college..
Tell me a little about your self, your age and experience, and then if you want, I can help point you in some directions as to what tuba would be appropriate for you. Just because I like playing CC doesn't mean you will. I started on BBb (like most), and then switched to CC this year, I didn't think I would like CC much better, but now I do!
<Added>
*And your future plans with the tuba*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotch
(481 points)
|
| What do you mean by its useable range? |
|
What the lowest and highest notes I can reasonably ask a tuba player to play to good effect?
| Tell me a little about your self, your age and experience, and then if you want, I can help point you in some directions as to what tuba would be appropriate for you. |
|
I have no intention to take up the tuba myself. I've been commissioned to score a public service announcement, and I'm considering using a tuba as the melody instrument. I'd like to have some idea what specific instrument I'm likely to get before I decide for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
The "useable range" is not defined by the istrument, it is by the player. More advanced players can play incredibly low notes in tune, and high ones in tune also. All the tubas are pretty much able to play the same range, though usually BBb and CC can go lower (easier) then Eb and F, and the Eb and F can go higher easier, but it doesn't nessisarily allow you to play higher then possible for another key tuba. If you want a high range, I would suggest the F tuba, just because it will have better intonation and sound in the upper range. And for lower range CC, for the same reasons. If you need both, I say CC.
Oh ok, cool. Well the tuba, in good hands, has a very mellow and bright tone. Unlike instruments such as the bass, the player can facilitate his or her embatoure inorder change the tone quality. It is a very lyrical and beautiful sounding instrument, contrary to popular belief. If you are going to write the tuba as the major instrument in your score, just write it and allow the tuba player to choose his or her instrument. All tubas are nontransposing instruments, so they can play any piece with any key instrument without having to transpose like trumpets and other instruments. That is one of the reasons I love it so much!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotch
(481 points)
|
| The "useable range" is not defined by the istrument, it is by the player. |
|
Of course it will vary according to the player; you can take this as read. There are two reasonable and obvious ways to answer the question. 1) You can pose an approximate average or 2) you can give your own range.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
Ill give you my averages, and typical averages...
1. My average, BBb instrument, pedel Bb (about 6 or 7 ledger lines below the staff) to F (2 ledger lines abover staff) and on CC instrument raise all that a whole step, and that is my average. I am just a highschool student though, so my averages will be slightly off from professionals.
2. Averages in general. BBb Pedal Gb is about the lowest I have ever seen (below pedel Bb). to Bb 4 ledger lines above staff. CC- raise that a whole step.
Those are the extremes of the range.I wouldn't suggest using lower than a pedel F (4 ledger lines below staff) or else the notes start sounding like "farts" or higher than a high F (2 L.L. above staff) or else the notes will be hard to reach and slightly out of tune.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotch
(481 points)
|
Thanks, that's pretty helpful. Is it fair to assume that you generally would like notes leading up to your high F (rather than jumping directly) and that this high F is difficult to play softly? (For this piece I'll probably be emphasizing notes on the high side, considering that the tuba gets the melody.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
It is common to use notes leading up to the high F, like in a scale. On an F tuba, the jump up to high F really wouldn't be too major. But on any other instrument,I wouldn't suggest a major jump. I just looked through my tube repetiore. And the biggest jump I found in that range was in the Gregson Tuba concerto. That was from a high C (one ll above staff) to the high G about it. That is a Perfect 5th, an easy interval on the tuba. If a jump was prefered, that would prob be the biggest interval I can personally suggest.
Difficult to play softly? Somewhat. Obviously it will be easier to play loudly, but it can be played softly. Don't exspect a pp dynamic marking, about the softest it will be played clearly is Mf.
<Added>
*If a jump in the High range was prefered, that is the biggest interval I suggest*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ekdavies
(190 points)
|
Just to add some International balance ...
In the UK tubas (or Basses) are most commonly played in brass bands where F and CC tubas are not allowed (only BBb and EEb). The parts are always written in treble clef - sounding a two octaves and a tone lower for the BBb etc. The normal BBb range is from the written G below the treble clef to 2 octaves above - although in any good brass band the players would be expected to play 4 valve instruments and play down to written pedal C. The EEb players are expected to have at least the same range and use the extremes of their range much more frequently. The accepted BBb Bass is the Besson Sovereign despite the fact that a Sousaphone would often be musically better on these parts - its not allowed by the UK Brass Band authorities!
Brass bands also have Euphoniums and baritones with tubing an octave shorter than a BBb bass. Strangely, many orchestral musicians - especially string players - have no respect for brass band players despite the fact that the playing standard (and parts) in Championship brass bands are far more difficult than any orchestral music.
<Added>
Eb bass parts sometimes have melodic solo parts although Euphonium is the preferred sonorous solo instrument in brass bands cf Wagner tubas and french horns orchestrally. For more attack a trombone solo would be preferred. Most BBb players would have difficulty playing a solo which required an edge to the tone or alot of attack - although this is really a limitation of the Besson Sovereign which its predecessor (the Imperial) did not have.
<Added>
Playing low notes pp should not be a problem for any experienced player but playing quietly in the top octave of any brass instrument becomes increasingly more demanding as the pitch increases - although it is expected of French Horn players!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
The range you describe seems a little small. Even for a BBb. Is it really expected just for a pedel C for a BBb instead of a Pedal Bb? Pedal C is usually more difficult to obtain than a pedal Bb, because of valving.
Here in the US, CC and F tubas are usually frowned upon to for brass and symphonic band playing, which seems to be a universal constant. Though in Germany they do expect their Orchestral Tuba players to use a BBb instrument, imagine that.
| Most BBb players would have difficulty playing a solo which required an edge to the tone or alot of attack |
|
I disagree with that statement. I don't think that it is too terribly difficult to get an edge to a tone or an attack to a tone on a BBb tuba. I have never personally played a Besson, so that maybe that particular instruments limitation. Though in the US the most popular brand of BBb tubas is prob the Miraphone, which has a great ability to accent and have an edge to the tone.
Soft dynamics in the high range is crazy, and any composer who uses it shall be persecuted 
. Strangely, many orchestral musicians - especially string players - have no respect for brass band players despite the fact that the playing standard (and parts) in Championship brass bands are far more difficult than any orchestral music.
|
|
I completely disagree with this statement. I am personally a Violinist. And also as a tubist I have great respect for brass players. I don't know if you play a string instrument, but I have been playing in various orchestras for the past 7 years, 3 of those playing professional repetoire. I have played many, many first violin parts in orchestral music. And they have pushed me to my absolute limits. I have also played "championship brass band music" and much symphonic wind band repetiore. And I don't think any of the parts truely compare to what the First violinists have to endure. Using Dvorak 8 (just pops into my head) for example. I played this piece recently, and this pieces included about 9 positions on the violin, and rapid 32nd note runs, as well as 8th note runs in double stops.
So if you aren't a string player ( I'm not sure, though I see nothing in your profile to indicate that you are or aren't) please don't judge them.
Sorry to rant  ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ekdavies
(190 points)
|
It is usual in UK brass bands to use a 4 valve BBb instrument which means that written G (sounding F) down to written D (sounding C) are played using the 4th valve to add extra tubing. On many much older 3 valve instruments these can be played as "false" pedals. The first "true" pedal is then written C (sounding Bb). In the music I've played I've never seen lower notes written and the Besson Sovereign isn't very good on lower pedals. IMHO its also the Sovereign's limitations that have curtailed arrangers from expecting some "edge" to BBb bass playing in the UK. I agree there are better alternative instruments.
My reference to "orchestra music" should have been to "orchestral brass parts". I'm sorry if this caused confusion. I wouldn't have a useful opinion concerning string parts!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richardrichard9
(224 points)
|
Oh ok, I was under the assumtion that you meant the tuba part was written in concert key, such as here in the US (because tuba is non transposing)... Makes more sense...
Lol, its ok, once I see "string players" my defensive mechanism goes up .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buy & Sell Visual Art
Composition Competitions
UK Writers' Community
Ram Upgrades
CodeToad
|
searching...
