Why CC and not BBb?

[LCTuba89]

- Sounds like you haven't played (m)any good Bb tubas?

Iv'e played quite a few good BBb tubas, I just prefer CC. That's all.

[1895King]

I started on Eb in the 8th grade back in the spring of 1961; when I got to high school that fall all they had were BBb sousaphones so I had to start over. I played BBb exclusively all though high school and college. After I completed college I decided I wanted to try Eb again; I now own 6 Eb uprights, 2 Eb helicons, and 1 BBb upright. For the last couple of years, I've pretty much stayed with Eb's. I just happen to prefer them but I still get tangled up with fingerings from time to time. It all boils down to what you're comfortable with. By the way, I did have a CC for 2 or 3 years and I ended up trading it for an Eb Cerveny which I no longer have either.

[opus37]

I was upgraded to tuba in 1965. All they had at high school were BBbs, so that is what I learned. Fast forward to 1978 where my wife purchased an Eb for $20. I had not played for a long while so I started over on Eb. That is what I play exclusively now because I'm too lazy to learn other fingerings. I likely would just get confused anyway. I have found that my Eb is very welcome in community bands because I can play the upper parts or lower parts on all the old marches which adds to the band. I play solos and in quintets. The Eb is comfortable in those cases too. So, I'm an advocate of the Eb being an all around horn.

[Jason Roamer]

My BBb v CC story is humorous, possibly. I switched to CC my sophomore year of college, because the school I attended ran out of large BBbs. They were all 186s, and all I really learned from the experience is that I prefer the sound and feel of that CC 186 to those of most BBb 186s. I no longer define either horn as "large."

Now my primary horn is a large B&S F, which suits my purposes just fine.

[Rick Denney]

Now, I am questioning the supreme knowledge inparted to me so many years ago as a college freshman. Why is CC the standard for the professional, and not the BBb?

Firstly, there is no supreme knowledge. There are only preferences and opinions.

Secondly, the standard to which you refer only exists in America. Most German tuba players play Bb and F tubas and seem to manage those sharp keys just fine.

Advice to those who think this matters: play what you want to, and play it well. Nobody will give a hoot how long the tube is is you put the good product out there.

But college kids who want to stick with Bb because they are too lazy to learn C fingerings may be saying something important about their character.

Rick "Summarizing decades of silly arguments" Denney

[Todd S. Malicoate]

This thread makes me sad. The idea that it is somehow "easier" to play in sharp keys on a particular key of tuba only points to the laziness of those who would play the instrument.

Short point being, if you're not fluent in all 12 keys, don't worry about what key of tuba you have. You won't be working.

[jeopardymaster]

This thread makes me sad. The idea that it is somehow "easier" to play in sharp keys on a particular key of tuba only points to the laziness of those who would play the instrument.

Plus 31/32. While I don't think it's what was meant, the truth is that it IS easier to play IN TUNE in some keys than in others - some keys just lay better intonation-wise (response-wise too) on a CC, some better on a BBb. That does NOT relieve one from the obligation to work up one's technique and musicianship to bridge the gap. Same goes for F and Eb. And on that I'll wager we agree 32/32.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

While I don't think it's what was meant, the truth is that it IS easier to play IN TUNE in some keys than in others - some keys just lay better intonation-wise (response-wise too) on a CC, some better on a BBb. That does NOT relieve one from the obligation to work up one's technique and musicianship to bridge the gap. Same goes for F and Eb. And on that I'll wager we agree 32/32.

Yep. I doesn't matter a fig what "lays" better. A musician's job is to overcome such barriers through dedication until mastery is achieved (read...never).

It's said that Wynton Marsalis, as a young player, would practice for hours in a corner of his junior high school band room on something as mundane as attacks. How many of us are willing to dedicate that much of ourselves?

[doublebuzzing]

Most people say Berlin and Vienna are the best orchestras in the world. The tuba players in both of those orchestras play primarily in BBb. That seems as good an argument as any that you don't need a CC for an orchestra gig.

[Wyvern]

Most people say Berlin and Vienna are the best orchestras in the world. The tuba players in both of those orchestras play primarily in BBb. That seems as good an argument as any that you don't need a CC for an orchestra gig.

I don't think that is strictly true. In Germany and Austria they use equally BBb OR F tuba as appropriate for the music. They would no doubt for example use an F tuba for Brahms, or a BBb for Prokofiev.

The thing about CC over BBb is that the former is a more multi-purpose tuba to cover a range of applications which is why CC may be better for orchestral use where the tuba part's register and range of expression can range substancial in just one piece (just look at the score for Elgar Cockaigne Overture). Eb is also a very good multi-purpose tuba - in fact most players in the UK would say in its 19" bell 3+1 compensated form, the best to cover it all. Both BBb and F tubas are more specialist tools, better for certain applications

If you mostly play in band, then a BBb tuba is ideal, as the bass part in bands tends to be in the middle to low register most of the time and its breath is ideal for putting foundation under band.

I think it is mistaken to think of using BBb for flat keys and CC for sharp - you can play any key of music on any tuba with practice.

I have often wondered if better from a musical point of view to play multiple tubas to provide a variety of tones, or to concentrate all practice on one to become as competent on that specific tuba as possible...and have never reached conclusion. No doubt having variety and choice is more fun.

[doublebuzzing]

Most people say Berlin and Vienna are the best orchestras in the world.

If that is the basis for your statement, it is ... debate-able, especially the "most" part.

The tuba players in both of those orchestras play primarily in BBb.

Really? Do you know who they are? Do you know them?
Did you read something somewhere,
or sometime someone "told you" this?

When asked if you know who they are,
did you do a "quick google search" to prepare a retort?

Pros play whatever works for the needs of the night's gig.
It has little to do with preference, argument, or majority rule.
Tradition, perhaps. But traditionally, most orchestral
tuba players are male, does that mean females are inferior?
Of course not. And your reasoning is exactly the same.
Certainly, the best way to know what a pro uses, prefers,
or doesn't use (or prefer) is to ask them, not the TNFJ.

The nice thing about the recurring dumb troll threads
is they often bring out the dumb in (to use your language) "most people",
myself included.

I don't personally know them, no. Do you have to know someone personally to know that they play BBb tubas? Usually you get information through reading/seeing. I don't know Adrian Peterson personally either but I know he wears Nike cleats. You can correct me if I'm wrong and if they, in fact, play in CC. However, I don't think there was anything in that statement to argue about. I said "primarily in BBb" which doesn't exclude playing in F as well. If you have information that they now play in CC, let us know (that may surprise some).

Since my main point may have slipped past you, I will restate it: Either CC or BBb work perfectly fine in an orchestra and if anyone says you have to play in CC (fellow students, friends, professors), tell them that that may be an American bias (i.e. it is just as customary to use BBb in orchestras in Germany than it is to use CC in America so they obviously both work just fine).

[k001k47]

Why tuba and not tenor tuba?

[Bob Kolada]

Why tuba and not tenor tuba?

Still crossing my fingers for a 4+2 rotary valve JinBao euph (they make all the parts, and a rotary valve set would fit just fine on the comp body without any length issues)!

Just to keep on with the sensitive issues!

[Lectron]

Most people say Berlin and Vienna are the best orchestras in the world.

If that is the basis for your statement, it is ... debate-able, especially the "most" part.

The tuba players in both of those orchestras play primarily in BBb.

Really? Do you know who they are? Do you know them?
Did you read something somewhere,
or sometime someone "told you" this?

When asked if you know who they are,
did you do a "quick google search" to prepare a retort?

Pros play whatever works for the needs of the night's gig.
.
.
.
The nice thing about the recurring dumb troll threads
is they often bring out the dumb in (to use your language) "most people",
myself included.

In Berlin one are required to play the BBb

That does not mean both, when both play, play the BB, but at MOST time
at least one is touting the rotary BBb

That's just the name of the story.......

Next time they have an opening you could always audition

[Lectron]

If you want a gig in an American symphony orchestra you must play a C tuba,
if you want to play in a German orchestra you must play a Bb tuba,
and if you want to be a member of Hells Angels you ride a Harley.

It's that simple.

lol

And how about that Swiss riding a Harley in US touting an Eb?

[bearphonium]

If you want a gig in an American symphony orchestra you must play a C tuba,
if you want to play in a German orchestra you must play a Bb tuba,
and if you want to be a member of Hells Angels you ride a Harley.

It's that simple.

lol

And how about that Swiss riding a Harley in US touting an Eb?

Yeah, but is he patched?