Any WagnerTuba experts out there?

Kevin Miller · Post by **Kevin Miller** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:33 pm

As the "Wagner Tuba" is actually played by french hornists, you might get more info from a french horn discussion group.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:38 pm

I agree that depending on what exactly it is that you want to know, you may have better luck talking with French Horn players since they usually are the ones playing them.

A quick google search turned up (believe it or not) http://www.wagner-tuba.com as well as a nice entry over at wikipedia that should get you started.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:19 pm

the elephant wrote:You might as well ask to hear from the TubeNet "experts" (AKA "The Freak Jury") about their personal experiences with CBA Negotiating Committees

er, as chairperson of the Orchestra Commmittee, I personally went through three cycles, so don't speak too quickly...

djwesp · Post by **djwesp** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:44 pm

Playing one is undescribably wretched.

They are stuffy, almost impossible to tune, and are awkward in general.

That's about all I can tell you about them. Even french horn players have problems with them.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:27 am

the elephant wrote:Mikey-wikey. Hey, you like that appellation?

Still better than what the violas used to call me.

Six CBA's? You have my sympathy...

corbasse · Post by **corbasse** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:13 pm

Tom wrote: A quick google search turned up (believe it or not) http://www.wagner-tuba.com as well as a nice entry over at wikipedia that should get you started.

I strongly suggest contacting Bill Melton whose email address is on the contact page of that site. He's very knowledgable about this particular subject ( as well as a few others...

)

I actually like playing the beasts, although it's true they're a nightmare to play in tune. (And the ones that are in tune sound way too much like a euphonium

)
By the way, if you come from french horn "stuffy" is the last word you'll ever think of.
I remember playing 8th horn/4th wagner tuba in a bruckner symphony and walking off stage more stoned from too much oxygen than I've ever been using a certain recreational plant widely available in my college town of Amsterdam

corbasse · Post by **corbasse** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:28 pm

Bob1062 wrote:Couldn't you use an american baritone with a really small small shank mouthpiece, like an 11C or something? (I really don't know small mouthpieces)

Sure you could, and you could replace the french horns with mellophones. That would mean a lot less split notes!