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How are the Tuba parts in these pieces. I don't know the publishers of the version I'm going to play, but if you played either of these pieces, please tell me.

It depends upon what type of ensemble is playing these pieces.

The original Paul Whiteman Band instrumentation of Rhapsody in Blue, which is seeing a renaissance thanks to being championed by MTT and others, has a very prominent tuba part. OTOH, the orchestration by Ferde Grofé, the one heard most often performed by symphony orchestras, does not rely upon the tuba as much.

Assuming that you mean the one by Shostakovich, Festive Overture is a similar situation. Tuba is OK in the compser's original orchestration, but used more in concert band and brass band arrangements. However, the tuba part never gets anywhiere near as busy as the parts for the higher pitched instruments. That's usually our lot, with the common exception of brass band pieces, where the tubas are kept well occupied!

Both have pretty good parts.There's a fairly serious lick at the end of the Gershwin you might want to look at before the first rehearsal.Please understand that the definition of "pretty good part" is vastly different from band to orchestra.Tuba is sort of a weapon of mass destruction in orchestra and a front line defense in band.We learn to love what few notes we get...

whattup WM,

You heard me play Festive Overture at the Kimmel; there are some exciting parts...if you're playing w/a band, your part will most likely be more active, but the orch. part is fun....hope you got a good bass bone.....

Depending on the instrumentation, Rhapsody in Blue can be a little demanding....be prepared for a lot of stop and start playing; but when you play it's usually pretty meaningful.....

Gimme a ring sometime....

Hey Allen, thanks.

Yea, I remember Festive Overture, but me having a 3 second short term memory, I forgot most of that concert, besides the end of Belshazaar and most of Shosti. 1.

And I will give you a ring!

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