What do you not..

[Rick Denney]

Do you use a top-loading gig bag?

Nope. I sold my last top-loading bag 14 years ago. That was when it was my lower back, heh, heh.

Rick "who can feel his heavy tubas when casing and uncasing them no matter what kind of case" Denney

[dtemp]

As far as solos go, there seem to be two different camps. There are those who feel more comfortable with more classic solos, either written for the tuba or arranged for it. The other group seems to prefer more modern "bullshit" as Doc put it. I personally belong to the second. I think the days of playing the VW and Bach cello suites are waning. Of course this literature is important in our understanding of the instrument and I will have to play some of it for grad school auditions upcoming. However, I would rather play the newer literature coming out for our instrument. Now, of course, not everyone is going to like playing or listening to. No matter what your taste in music, you're going to have to play music you might not enjoy at first. The key is MAKING it enjoyable to play. If you enjoy playing it, chances are audiences will enjoy listening to it. I encourage everyone to at least try to play a modern solo and give it an honest shot. Too many times I've heard fellow students sight read a piece, label it "weird", and put it away.

As for me, I'll always be trying new pieces. Of course VW, Gregson, Bach, Wilder, etc. will always be in my files because they are important. However, if we don't accept new music, the tuba will always be viewed negatively as a solo instrument.

[Chuck(G)]

Trying to wish ourselves into great classical or romantic works FOR tuba is an excersice in futility. Tubas were not around in the classical period. Those great composers are dead.

You know, Doc, the implication of this is that there hasn't been that much really good music composed since about the beginning of the 20th century. Else we'd be up to our armpits in great tuba solos.

So why is that?

[mTaUrBkA]

I don't like the fact that it's challenging to find tubas and tuba accessories and tuba music in certain areas of the country/world. I don't like all of those fingerprints on my silver horn either! I guess thats kinda my fault though

[zeman23]

To paraphrase a sentiment from another thread, "complaints, I have a few, but then again, too few to mention." I love the tuba, and that feeling far outweighs any problems I may have with it.

-Zack Zeman

[Chuck(G)]

Just as I was about to suggest commissioning Hans Werner Henze to work out a tuba setting of "Songs from the Arabian"....

Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I'd like to venture that the tuba is, in fact, on the verge of obsolescence. (on the verge of becoming obsolete, just to be clear) Or at least very quaint.

Take yourself outside of the role of tuba player/musician and try to think like Joe Sixpack.

The military will continue to use it in bands, there being no adequate substitute (maybe the sarrusophone will enjoy a rennaissance).

While it has a place in the orchestra, so does the contrabassoon. But I don't see a lot of major new works for contrabassoon either. I don't see orchestras on the ascendant, unfortunately.

What else? Some Dixieland groups still use it, as do a few polka bands (most do not). Wind bands use them, but how many professional wind bands can the average Joe on the street name?

Mostly, it's a school band instrument.

So what modern-day Beethoven is going to be motivated to compose a great work for it?

[windshieldbug]

So what modern-day Beethoven is going to be motivated to compose a great work for it?

When I asked John Adams why he wrote such kick-*** tuba parts, he looked puzzled and said, "I just hear them. Why?".

[Chuck(G)]

Some folks just like the tuba sound, I guess. Maybe that's enough. It's a start anyway.

Well, that's why I play tuba.

[Charlie Goodman]

I think John Williams should write a big symphony piece, instead of his usual marchs. Unless he has some symphony pieces? He can write some kick *** star wars music. Think what one of his symphonies would be like. Almost like Mahler? Maybe less evil and sinister?

....



.......




Dude.



.......




THE STUFF FROM STAR WARS IS BIG SYMPHONY STUFF!




And yes, he has quite a few symphony pieces, and a pretty flippin' cool tuba concerto, as well. [/flame]

[TexTuba]

T4S,

What's with the tag on your signature?

Doc

I wonder if he's serious..

Ralph

[Paul S]

T4S,
What's with the tag on your signature?
Doc

Perhaps, based on his recent posts about orchestral tubists, their auditions and value to symphonies, and his informed statements about composers and various works for tuba, T4S's year of study has allowed him to learn all there is about the tuba and he may be going to bless another community of musicians with his vast experience and knowledge of their instrument.

He will most likely be greatly missed by many.

[MartyNeilan]

i quit tuba.

tuba for sale. cheap. get ahold of me somehow.

Boy,

If I was your father I would beat your butt until you couldn't stand up straight. You (Your family) just spent $3500 and did a lot of running around to get you a top quality professional instrument and you have the nerve to make some kind of stupid joke like that??? And if you are serious??? That's the thanks Charlie gets for all he did for you, getting you that great horn for such a killer price when SERIOUS players were lined up waiting for it!!! And now you just want to dump it.

I am also sending this PM to make sure you read it; I should do five minutes of research and also copy it to your band director.

[gwwilk]

T4S,
What's with the tag on your signature?
Doc

Perhaps, based on his recent posts about orchestral tubists, their auditions and value to symphonies, and his informed statements about composers and various works for tuba, T4S's year of study has allowed him to learn all there is about the tuba and he may be going to bless another community of musicians with his vast experience and knowledge of their instrument.

Would that we were so fortunate, Paul. Just think of the fate that awaits him, though. Just like us, the older he gets, the less he's gonna know!

He will most likely be greatly missed by many.

Like a toothache.