TubeNet

Please, search the archives. This topic comes up very regularly.

Instead of asking about a technical equipment issue, I suggest you ask TubeNet about finding a teacher, for at least a few lessons. When you find a teacher, you can ask the BBb/CC question, and many, many more questions.

No matter how brilliant the TubeNet forum members are, there is no substitute for a teacher hearing you play, and having an extensive discussion with you about your musical goals, and how much work you are planning to do in order to achieve these goals.

My personal experience: I had a long hiatus. I found an excellent teacher, with some help from TubeNet. I was surprised at my choice of tuba when I bought one. What kind of tuba did I get? One that suited me and the kind of music I wanted to play.

Cheers,
Allen

Allen wrote: No matter how brilliant the TubeNet forum members are,

And they are brilliant, indeed! Aren't they?

TubaRay wrote:

Allen wrote: No matter how brilliant the TubeNet forum members are,

And they are brilliant, indeed! Aren't they?

Of course, I would never use irony or hyperbole in a post!

It certainly can be stated that the brilliance level goes up when you and I are on-line.

Cheers,
Allen

Tuba Dude wrote:After about a 15 year hiatus from playing, I'm looking at jumping back in but want to be sure I make a smart purchase. I've read several postings about which horns are good, bad, marginal but I haven't seen anything on the pros and cons of CC or BBb. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Any and all insight is appreciated.

The BBb vs. CC threads never reach a conclusion as to which is better -- it's mostly a matter of personal preference. If I was just getting back into playing the tuba after a 15 year break I would consider:

-- Price: BBb is almost always cheaper than CC.

-- What key did you previously play: If you're going to re-learn how to play, it could be frustrating to learn new fingerings simultaneously.

It seems like initially buying a cheaper (used?!) horn would make sense. If you later want to upgrade, it'll be easier to compare tubas after you get the hang of tuba playing again.

Doc wrote:Archives are great, but we can also take the time to help someone.

..and that's why I wish the BBS would really have a "Frequently asked questions about tubas" section to tackle really tough issues such as:

• BBb vs. CC
• Eb vs. F
• Rotary vs. piston
• Lacquer vs. silver vs. raw brass
• top- vs. side-acting valves
• pull or lip
• what mouthpiece should I use with new Henckeldorf tuba?
• What's a BAT?
• What's a 6/4?
• How does a Couesnon Eb compare with Hirsbrunner HB-50?
• My teacher says that I'm not a serious player unless I get a CC. Is he right?
• I backed over my tuba with my Ford F-350. Can I fix the dents with a ball-pein hammer and some superglue?

Has anything new been discovered in these areas in the last dozen or so years? A directed FAQ would give someone a chance who has these questions to get a straight answer without the fluff.

But then, what would we have to talk about?

i'd really like to see some discussion on FF# tubas. Has anyone ever LENGTHENED a tuba to the key of AA? how about AAA? What would happen if you replaced all the pipes save the bell, valves ,and lead pipe with garden hose? I want a tuba in E so I can play with rock bands easier. Why do we even need valves anymore? I would think a lot of players would be happy if they just had to buy another tuba every time they had a piece in a different key. Wouldn't it be great if they made tubas the same way they used to make didgeridoos? just find a bug eaten tree, cut off a limb, burn out the bugs, slather some wax on the small end and honk away! A lot cheaper I'd say. (to be fair, i've learned a lot on this site, but talking to pros in person or on the phone has been invaluable...er...actually, quite expensive come to think of it. you know what i mean)

I installed a helium injection system on my tuba. It makes for some good jazz note bending and wah wah effects. The only problem is that I had a group of People for the Ethical Treatment of Helium picketing my last performance.

What is truly needed is an A-flat horn so we concert pitch readers could play that treble clef stuff written for transposing B-flat players. Besides, a 6/4 contra-kahuna AA-flat would be great for rendering those delicate, poignant treble clef melodies.

Just this morning I was thinking of converting my old high pitch BBb tuba back to high pitch and then shortening it a few inches more to put it in the key of BB. What a great key for rock and roll gigs and orchestral music with those pesky sharps.

-Eric

And back to reality. Yes, a good used tuba BBb tuba in the 1000 - 5000 range is probably the way to go, especially starting back in, and there are a lot, or rather myriads of tubas out there in that price range, all claiming to be great, so try before you buy, with a knowledgable friend along to help you critique the horn's physical condition as well as tonality and ergonomic fit to you, and preferably from a shop where you know the horn's been gone over properly, and can help you keep it that way, like from the guys who post here on the forum. Events WILL eventuate. Get to know a good tech.

OK, guys -- did I miss anything in the standard short lecture?

Chuck(G) wrote:

Doc wrote:Archives are great, but we can also take the time to help someone.

..and that's why I wish the BBS would really have a "Frequently asked questions about tubas" section to tackle really tough issues such as:

• BBb vs. CC
• Eb vs. F
• Rotary vs. piston
• Lacquer vs. silver vs. raw brass
• top- vs. side-acting valves
• pull or lip
• what mouthpiece should I use with new Henckeldorf tuba?
• What's a BAT?
• What's a 6/4?
• How does a Couesnon Eb compare with Hirsbrunner HB-50?
• My teacher says that I'm not a serious player unless I get a CC. Is he right?
• I backed over my tuba with my Ford F-350. Can I fix the dents with a ball-pein hammer and some superglue?

Has anything new been discovered in these areas in the last dozen or so years? A directed FAQ would give someone a chance who has these questions to get a straight answer without the fluff.

But then, what would we have to talk about?

But who's answers would you have in the FAQ? Plus, surely debating such subjects is one of the joys of TubeNet?

I see this place as a virtual debating shop with us all sat around, drinks in hand, chatting about tubas!

Neptune wrote:

Chuck(G) wrote:

Doc wrote:Archives are great, but we can also take the time to help someone.

A directed FAQ would give someone a chance who has these questions to get a straight answer without the fluff.

But then, what would we have to talk about?

But who's answers would you have in the FAQ? Plus, surely debating such subjects is one of the joys of TubeNet?

I see this place as a virtual debating shop with us all sat around, drinks in hand, chatting about tubas!

I am guilty of posting hundreds of "fluff" posts on tubenet. However, after the pros have said everything that needs to be said on any issue, there is room for a tad of levity to ease the pain of reality.
I picture tubenet as a group of musicians sitting around with their feet up-just yakking as have my band members done together on hundreds of occasions. A joke is a chance for a group to shift gears in a conversation and give any combatants a chance to be friends again.

Neptune wrote: But who's answers would you have in the FAQ? Plus, surely debating such subjects is one of the joys of TubeNet?

At least one of the horn lists simply maintains a compendium of the best answers on a subject, complete with who gave each answer. In other words, it consists of a bunch of extracts from the list.

So, if you'd want to know about, say, multiphonics, it's in the FAQ and the most relevant postings are given. No attempt is made to quash debate.

I've got no objection to folks shooting the breeze, but wouldn't it be nice to shoot said breeze on new subjects?

I'll even volunteer to collect posts to commonly-asked questions if Sean will set aside someplace to post them. I don't mind.

Clearly, it's BBb with rotaries and CC with pistons.

Pardon a serious response, however the answer is simple....it's whatever you prefer and sound best on. Best case scenerio is you and someone you trust listening to you play some of each and giving you feedback that you can rely on. Places such as Dillons and Baltimore Brass or The Tuba Exchange(just a few of the places with good personel and equipment,new and used) can provide you the oportunity to try many types of instruments. It does depend on your needs to an extent but the bottom line is whatever you sound best on and can afford is the best instrument for you. Good luck and have fun!

Food! Pictures of Food!

edited

Doc wrote:Und bier!
Sie müssen essen, aber Sie müssen auch trinken!

Ja! Ja! Sehr gut!

I have had free access to a decently large storage of brass and nickel silver tubing in gradual bore sizes. I was allowed to pick, what I needed. So I at some point of time re-pitched my Conn 26K to D. Worked well in my ears, but was never tested in an ensemble context.

As for the original question I most certainly accept it. I also accept the advise about finding a good private teacher. But the real background for forums like the TubeNet is not so much of an on-topic nature. The reason is much more of a geographical and demographical nature.

A whole lot of the forum members are located in places, where they have no easy access to neither a decent teacher nor a decent selection of tubas. This forum comes in handy in matters of advice.

As an instructor/director/arranger (albeit retired) I care no s**t at all, whether a bass tuba is in F or Eb or whether a contrabass tuba is in CC or BBb. If the player is OK, and if the instrument is OK, then I am OK.

As a player I am an Eb/BBb person due to my aural upbringing. But that’s just for my playing. I will tell just about any fingering on just about any brass of any pitch anyway.

I concur with the considerations done on the price-relations between CC and BBb tubas. But my main parameter in choosing BBb was not money. My ears simply cannot find the open notes on a CC.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

Am I too late to put up a food picture? Here is my favorite Vietnamese dish. They call it banh mi, which means, "bread."



Doesn't it look an awful lot like something you might find at Subway? Oh, but it tastes so much better. The bread is even great!

And as far as C and BBb... I really don't have a preference anymore. I can use either one, if I have to.