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I just saw a really cool group- the Young Ambassadors Brass Band of Great Britan- they're more or less a pick-up group from various British bands that gets together and does a two week tour up here in the Northeast (MA, CT, NY and Ontario) There's just something really cool sounding about the tubas- the Eb's and BBb's playing in octaves, almost an organlike sound. Just a silly question for you Brits out there- do the BBb players use especially large mouthpieces? I was noticing that the BBb parts were very low on the horn, and it was such a nice big, broad sound.

The Eb and Bb basses don't always play in octaves (unlike most concert band music). It's not unusual to see fifths or the Eb playing soli or with the euphoniums.

And yes--the Bb basses get some very low notes.

If you ever get the opportunity to play with a brass band, do--you'll have the time of your life.

I whole heartedly agree. Last Christmas I was asked to sub 2nd Eb tuba in the BrassBand of Central Florida for a concert. It was amazing. (the BBb's went real low. one guy had a 5/4 alex kaiser which put out so much power!!!)

OldsRecording wrote:Just a silly question for you Brits out there- do the BBb players use especially large mouthpieces?

Mouthpiece choice will depend on the player, but a particularly large mouthpiece is not used as a rule. A Bach 24AW (yes, even on a BBb) or a DW 1L are commonly used, although some players are getting more adventuresome in their choice.

It is not unusual for one player on both Eb and BBb to drop an octave. The combination can produce an incredible organ like sound.

I did a couple of trips with the YABB of GB but in those days we only got as far as crossing the English Channel rather than the Atlantic Ocean.

OldsRecording wrote:Just a silly question for you Brits out there- do the BBb players use especially large mouthpieces?

Bach 24AWs are still very popular, with Eb and Bb players alike.
I've seen some Eb players starting to use the Perantucci PT24+ and some Bb players trying the PT88.

WorldofBrass.com wrote:I did a couple of trips with the YABB of GB but in those days we only got as far as crossing the English Channel rather than the Atlantic Ocean.

That's cool- when did you play with YABB? And, rest assured, Frank Wolff is still crazy after all these years...

Bach 24AWs are still very popular, with Eb and Bb players alike.
I've seen some Eb players starting to use the Perantucci PT24+ and some Bb players trying the PT88.[/quote]

I have played Eb and Bb tubas with both th ebach 24AW and the Perantucci24+ in brass bands, and yes players do play notes octaves lower (whether written or not sometimes). the euphonium part is often the bass line 1 octave higher which is nearer the vocal range. the only problem is that most brass band euphonium players (over)use vibrato whereas the tuba playes usually don't, leading to tuning problems in the bass line. when we play in tune it is really great though.

OldsRecording wrote:That's cool- when did you play with YABB? And, rest assured, Frank Wolff is still crazy after all these years...

I think it must have been 1983 and 1984.

I have to admit to being a YABB tubist around that time too, when we recorded the LP with Ray Farr, and touring Holland & Belgium;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... bass3a.jpg

CB

Highams wrote:http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... bass3a.jpg

Looks like a 19" bell B&H IMPERIAL to me.

Yes indeed, last of the large bell Imperials (still with the medium shank) prior to the Sovereigns coming out.

Pic of the complete set of 4 at Hanwell at that time;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... bass4a.jpg

Left to right, Charles Kirk, me, Len Bryant & Paul Ellison
CB

Chuck(G) wrote:The Eb and Bb basses don't always play in octaves (unlike most concert band music). It's not unusual to see fifths or the Eb playing soli or with the euphoniums.

And yes--the Bb basses get some very low notes.

If you ever get the opportunity to play with a brass band, do--you'll have the time of your life.

That is often the case in the brass band I am in. The Euphoniums seem to sometimes really get a workout. The Eb are often playing some lead, then the BBb's join in. We will also sometimes we have fifths in the BBb parts, and that can really sound nice if each player is brave enough to play the note out and not retreat. I like to play octaves, (Not just brass band, but also in concert band) where I usually play the upper note while the other guys will play the middle and basement notes. Make sure it is a nice clean attack, the sound is great. I especailly like it when we do it on the final chord when the written note is concert F or Eb.
Steve