Winning major gigs with 6/4 Instruments

[Matt G]

BSO was won on a Nirschl.

However, I do believe that may be the exception.

In general, a good 4/4 or 5/4 is a better solo instrument. Since most of the audition is a solo situation, this makes perfect sense. Even if you have to play with the 'bones, you're sill not having to cut through the rest of the orchestra.

Since the audition isn't a true representation of what the gig is really like, why bring a horn that is only needed for the real gig. Bring what sounds best and what allows you to make the most amount of music on some fairly pedestrian stuff.

[Pete Link]

Well lets see. Pitts, Milwaukee, Boston were all won on a Nirschl(and thier respective F tubas). There were also 3 wins on a Gronitz(all by the same person). Several of them over the past 2-3 years have also been won on a PT-6. And the 3 of these models have made their way into several semi final and final rounds in the hands of extremely accomplished players.
Ultimately I figure it does not matter what you play as long it sounds better than everyone else when it counts!

Pete

[Tom]

There have been a number of different models that have worked out well in auditions lately including, but not limited to, the PT-6, Nirschl, and MW 2000.

What I think is interesting is the number of pros that unload their audition equipment that they've had such success with as soon as they land a gig only to go searching for another great combination when the next big audition comes along.

I've ended up some great tubas this way though!

[windshieldbug]

My experience in the "minors" points to whatever you are most comfortable with. My experience on audition committees says that it is the player, not the horn, that you are evaluating!

[windshieldbug]

Playing an audition does not necessarily require you to evaluate how your sound fits into the the end product whereas once you have the gig, it becomes the most important part.

Any decent job will not only have the finalists play with the trombone section as part of the final, but will also include playing a series to help with the evaluation. Then the first year or two is always considered probationary. The equipment a tubist chooses will depend on the pieces being played, just as in "real life". It may call for a big horn, or a small one; good players almost always bring multiple horns for the prelims because of the excerpts required.

[rascaljim]

Hey T4S... How many pro auditions have you taken?

[TexTuba]

Hey T4S... How many pro auditions have you taken?

I think you already know the answer to this one...

Ralph

[rascaljim]

I think you already know the answer to this one...

Ralph

I think you see my point

For people who rarely stumble across tubenet, it must be difficult to strain out the good information.

[/quote]

[tubajoe]

Trumpet players seem to consistently win auditions on stock $1600 Bach trumpets with stock Bach $35 mouthpieces

...because that's what Bud played.