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What do you Bb players out there prefer to double on: F or Eb

Bass Trombone

Mostly euphonium. But for tuba, E-flat. Why? Used ones are much cheaper than F. It's a pragmatism thing. And, once in a while, I fiddle with e-flat alto horn. B-flat and E-flat fingerings are enough to keep me occupied.

I played F tuba and BBb for a long time, but eventually quit playing my BBb all together. The reason was that my F was actually bigger than my BBb (Yamaha YFB822).

I may have considered an EEb, but at the time professional front action EEb tubas were rare, and my bass trombone playing friends said they hated having the bell pointed at them in orchestra. Sadly, there were few tonal considerations in my choosing an F tuba.

It has all worked out well for my situation and tastes. I play F tuba for 90% of my playing now and only occasionally use my CC. It is rare that I play in an large orchestra or band. Mostly solo and chamber music. For those who care, I play a MW 45S F tuba and PT6 CC. I don't see any new tubas in my immediate future, but I would consider switching back to BBb for my big horn before I would choose to switch to EEb.

John Caves wrote:What do you Bb players out there prefer to double on: F or Eb

I quadruple on BBb, EEb, euphonium, and tenor trombone.

Funny, I wouldn't have called changing from a tuba to--another tuba "doubling".

One of the guys in quintet wanted to know how I could just put down an Eb tuba and pick up a CC tuba and continue playing. My response was "The fingerings are the same, just different".

harold wrote:... Switching between two similar horns in different keys is not doubling.

So playing tuba and euphonium (or tuba and flugelhorn, for that matter) isn't doubling?

harold wrote:Doubling is playing two distinctively different horns. Switching between two similar horns in different keys is not doubling.

Using the first definition, any clarinetist that played both a Bb and an A would be doubling.

While I see what Harold's point is. Here is something copied from the motion picture site in reference to scales of pay and doubling


INSTRUMENTAL DOUBLES
1st Double - 50% of basic rate / 25% for sideline sessions
2nd and each subsequent Double - 20% of basic rate / 10% for sideline sessions
The following groups of instruments are not construed as doubles:

Piano and celeste
Drummer's standard outfit
Tympani
Mallet Instruments (Xylophone, Bells, Marimbas)
Latin Rhythm Instruments
Any combination of instruments not listed above is to be construed as doubling.
For electronic devices, please see below.


So, maybe it is a double.

My answer to the question posed is bass or maybe bass trombone though.
Peace.
ASG

In a wage scale sense, it is important to remember that its only doubling if its written for and asked for, not merely if its a personal choice.

double on bass guitar, triple on guitar, quad on trumpet, and....

I started on and for years only played BBb tuba. When I decided to add a bass tuba, I added Eb. An F would probably have worked as well, but they were more expensive and I liked being able to play a full range with only 4 valves on a compensator vs. needing 5 or 6 valves for an F.

The main point of my question is if Bb players tend to use F or Eb horns in different situations. I currently use a Mirafone 191 Bb for everything, but am considering adding a smaller horn for situations where a smaller horn would be more appropriate. It sounds like the word "Doubling" opened up a different subject.

John Caves wrote:The main point of my question is if Bb players tend to use F or Eb horns in different situations. I currently use a Mirafone 191 Bb for everything, but am considering adding a smaller horn for situations where a smaller horn would be more appropriate. It sounds like the word "Doubling" opened up a different subject.

John, in what situation?

European orchestral players have a long tradition of playing most things on F, and hauling out a big BBb for things requiring heavy artillery.

On the other hand, British brass banders tend to stick to BBb and Eb (you read the parts the same way).

In the US, the orchestral trend seems to be CC and F.

In US band music, anything goes.

For some reason Bb players have an easier time adjusting to Eb and C players relate better to F tubas.
I believe this to be true.

Doc wrote:

tubatooter1940 wrote:For some reason Bb players have an easier time adjusting to Eb and C players relate better to F tubas.
I believe this to be true.

toots,

Have you been drinking again?

Doc

Hi, Doc,
"Lips that touch wine will never touch mine." (I want to be the one with the bad breath.)
I also wish I had a big bore bone. Those pedal notes get the girls' attention by rattling their teeth. If you like to double, try playing in a duo or trio. Filling up the sound keeps you busier than a one legged man in a butt-kickin' contest.