TubeNet

Well the easiest answer is to ask the teacher at the school you plan to attend what he/she would recommend. That is the best bet. That, and what can you afford.

Ralph

My answer:
If you have a good "does everything" 4/4 tuba (which you do), then you'll do fine with only that for your first year of college (at least).

The "real" answer:
Talk to your teacher.

Besson983 wrote:

his teacher just about made him sell his E flat to buy an F

What the hell kind of a teacher would do that? If he sounds bad, he needs to spend more time with the horn, but if he sounds good, who cares what key it's in? The audience doesn't care.

With all due respect, we don't know anything about the Eb. It may have been 3 valves, bellfront, horrible intonation, stuffy low register, etc.


Unless you are going to a big name conservatory, the 2145 will serve you well as a do everything horn. It can handle Symphonie Fantistique and many other standard F literature. After a couple of years as a tuba major, if you decide you still want to do it, then you can invest in an F. At that time, you may even decide you want a slightly bigger horn than the 2145 to contrast with your F.

Yes, for the time being, until your college teacher has enough time to really evaluate you and put you on the appropriate track, it's much easier to buy a slightly shallower mouthpiece with the same rim to play the higher F tuba parts than to purchase a whole new tuba. And you'd use your regular mouthpiece on the lower F parts, because they're the same as mid CC parts, anyway.

I seem to remember a fabulous tuba player by the name of Harvey Phillips who made quite a name for himself on a small Conn CC....

Look, a lot of us know what it's like to be young and have tuba envy....trust me, I've bought and sold more tubas than most universities! But it was a refining process for me to find what worked for me best at the time I was using them.

Having played a number of instruments, I would say that first and foremost:

You need to work your butt off on what you've got! Get into the best school you can and let your teacher guide you....that's their job. Start saving up money for a 2nd instrument if you plan to buy one in the future. Do your homework and try several different bass tubas, Eb or F.

I can tell you that your 2145 CC isn't much different than a lot of EEb's out there. That and the standard for the bass tuba (in this country at least) for the orchestra IS the F tuba. If that's what you're going after, then you need to saddle up with tools that will help you get a job. Remember, these instruments are tools, not toys.

You honestly don't need a bass tuba in your first year of college. Most people I know that have done this didn't play the F until much later.....and in the UK, many tuba students don't play the CC until much later (if at all) as well.

Work hard on the basics and it won't matter what instrument you're playing on.....nobody cares if you're good! You think people go up to Yo-Yo Ma after a recital and ask him what kind of strings he uses? Tuba players always wanna know what kinda mouthpiece so and so is using or pistons/rotors or silver/lacquer or whatever.

Bottom line, if it works for you, then who cares?! It's all about the music.

Practice hard! Then practice some more! Keep doing that and someday no one will ask was that a CC or an EEb or an F?

Good luck in your studies and your personal journey.

-Josh

A very wise Matt Walters gave me these words of wisdom in my decision to buy a bass tuba.
"F or Eb? Blonde or Brunette?"

Julio

Old Eb tubas are very cheap but Tubenet has taught me that CC tuba players relate most easily to an F tuba.
Colleges appear to be leaning on students to play CC then F tuba.
I came up on BBb tubas and am happy as a pig in slop to play Eb.

bloke wrote: I agree 100% with the sentiment of your post, and take no offense.

I would like to point out, however, that some waiters (who do very good work and - over a period of a year or two "work their way up" to very nice high-tipping restaurants) make more than do band directors...and a lot of people who do construction make $1000/wk...(I mean "average" - including off-days / off-weeks).

The people (at least that I've observed) in these industries who have trouble making ends meet tend to be those (just like in all other industries) who are involved in drugs and alcohol.

The problem is that "waiter" can be such a broad term. There are professional waiters who actually care about their jobs, and then "trying to make ends meet" waiters.

Like Chefs. I once worked at the golden arches, in the "chef" position. However, I don't consider myself a real chef (although you should see me make french fries...I can press the "drop basket" button like noone else!)

My opinion is wait and see what life throws at you before you decide. Personally, I played a 100 year old Distin Eb tuba for years in the Symphony whenever I needed a smaller horn until I found a decent F. It seemed to do the job I needed it for, so my advice is to wait and see what you need. I doubt that any prof is going to be impressed enough for it to make any difference when you audition.

Senior in high school? I first read the title as senior on college, at which time this becomes a valid issue.

It is not an important issue for you until then. Be grateful you have a good, versatile contrabass of your own.

Rick "whose niece, a music performance major, didn't own her own instrument of any type until her college senior year" Denney

TubaJulio wrote:A very wise Matt Walters gave me these words of wisdom in my decision to buy a bass tuba.
"F or Eb? Blonde or Brunette?"

Gosh, that's easy--blonde! So what tuba does that make it?

Doc wrote:If anyone tries to tell you that you MUST play F tuba in orchestra, that person is off their rocker. Sell my horn b/c a teacher REQUIRES it? He can kiss my fat ***.

Doc, we're all friends here--there's no need to pull your punches!

Doc wrote:Aw Chuck, you know I only speak for myself. My method of truth delivery is not for everyone, although the truth is what is necessary. I'm an ***, and I don't always sugarcoat it. If someone wants sugar, they can go kiss their mama.

Doc

I don't want sugar or the truth, Doc. Just tacos and beer!

Ralph

Hey, Doc, at least for myself, I appreciate your straight shooting to nail the point. I've also had to buy a few beers in my time doing the same. Let's buy each other a round if we ever get the chance. Thanks.

Doc wrote:Aw Chuck, you know I only speak for myself. My method of truth delivery is not for everyone, although the truth is what is necessary. I'm an ***, and I don't always sugarcoat it. If someone wants sugar, they can go kiss their mama.

S'okay, Doc. I just wanted you to know that it was okay to speak your mind here. No holding back, okay?