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Just showing my ignorance and looking for som schoolin'

First of all, those terms are not as standardized as we would like.

The distinction between BBb and Bb (as well as between CC and C) is supposed to be one of octaves -- BBb is an octave lower than Bb.

A BBb tuba is our familiar one; a Bb tuba is a tenor tuba, generally known as a euphonium.

The higher pitched common Eb tuba has only a single E because it is pitched within the octave above the one that contains the BBb tuba.

Just to make life more complicated, the British frequently refer to their larger size Eb tubas as EEb tubas, even though they are the same pitch! Further, many of us will refer to our BBb tubas as "Bb tubas," and CC tubas as "C tubas."

So there it is: a mish-mash of academic exactness, marketing flim-flam, folklore and habit -- just like many other areas in life.

Cheers,
Allen Walker

Brassdad wrote:Just showing my ignorance and looking for som schoolin'

None.

The designation is a misapplication of an old octave designation system that went bb, Bb, BBb, BBBb, etc. But that system broke the octave at the boundary between B and C, so if a CC tuba is CC, then a BBb should be BBBb. And if a BBb is correct, the CC should just be C.

It became a common but not universal practice, therefore, to represent contrabass tubas with the doubled letters, bass tubas with single letters unless it's an Eb and you are Besson, and single letters for tenor tubas. But I think the tenor tubas already have names, even if it's "tenor tuba" and this use of doubled letters is not well enough accepted to be dependable.

I have frequently referred to contrabass Bb tubas as both BBb and Bb, often in the same sentence. I know many others who have done the same. Likewise CC and C. I think it would be a very rare case that someone saying "Bb tuba" means a tenor tuba or euphonium.

Rick "who thinks this is one of many confusing nomenclature issues with tubas" Denney

Just to further confuse things, remember B in German notation is B flat, while H in German notation = B natural (B-A-C-H... )

Bloke wrote:

BBb - Bb = B

I would challenge the accuracy of the formula.
My math professor, Karl Hofenrichter would have gently,
Germanly corrected me if I had submitted that.
He would state instead:

BBb/Bb=B

BBb - Bb = Bb(B - 1)

Randy Beschorner wrote:Bloke wrote:

BBb - Bb = B

I would challenge the accuracy of the formula.
My math professor, Karl Hofenrichter would have gently,
Germanly corrected me if I had submitted that.
He would state instead:

BBb/Bb=B

GC wrote:BBb - Bb = Bb(B - 1)

B that as it may ...

Kevin Hendrick wrote:B that as it may ...

Oh no... what is this thread going to B-come...

Leland wrote:Oh no... what is this thread going to B-come...

Stop it B-for it can multiply!

Leland wrote: Stop it B-for it can multiply!

I thought it already did, well B-for you said that:

bloke wrote:btw: BBb X Bb = BBBbb

Nick

bloke wrote:btw: BBb X Bb = BBBbb

BBBbb = AAA

B-ware those driving clubs!!!

OK.........

2B or not BB

Brassdad wrote:OK.........

2B or not BB

Hmmm ... in Navy ship codes, "BB" indicates a battleship, which seems reasonable for our lowest contrabass tubas ...

B there or B []

Sheesh. Another thread B-yond hope.

Rick "expecting it to B 'moved'" Denney

schlepporello wrote:If you don't C# you will Bb.

Naturally!

While this may not B the best example of classical play, it is a classic in and of it's self.
http://disneyshorts.toonzone.net/years/ ... cert1.html

I can't tell. Is the tuba to Mickey's left raw or lacquered brass. Rotary or Piston valves? How many fingers does the tuba player have?

I'm suprised that the word B has not been explored in the context of its context as an adverb

He B
She B
They B
We B


Tom Mason
It B good to have a gooder grammar lessen here.

Might it B mo goodlier?

Tom Mason