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The Gregson for Tuba
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:05 pm
by passion4tuba
If one was to play the entire Concerto, what keyed tuba would be most suitable? I have seen some play it on an E flat or F, and others on a C, then still others who switch from a C to the aforementioned keys after the first movement....
Re: The Gregson for Tuba
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:11 pm
by TexTuba
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:27 pm
by tubasinfonian
The thing was written for an Eb tuba in mind, as Gregson is an English composer.
Personally, I think the sound of an F tuba is too light, and a BBb tuba is just insane due to the range. So, I vote for CC or Eb.
That's just an opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:14 pm
by Wyvern
I am practicing on my Melton Eb for forthcoming performance. However, I am sure it would work on a 4/4 CC - just require more effort.
It was originally written for John Fletcher to play with brass band, so a Besson/B&H EEb would no doubt have been in the composers mind.
Re: The Gregson for Tuba
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:57 pm
by jonesbrass
TexTuba wrote:
It really does not matter what key you play this, or any other solo for that matter, on. Chops are chops...if you got 'em, you got 'em.
Agreed. I've done this one on CC and F. I prefer it on F, but YMMV.
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:52 pm
by Steve Marcus
Besides Journey by John Stevens, what concertos have been written specifically for contrabass tuba?
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:36 pm
by JCalkin
Steve Marcus wrote:Besides Journey by John Stevens, what concertos have been written specifically for contrabass tuba?
IIRC, Eugene Anderson wrote his Tuba Concerto with the Contrabass in mind.
what key
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:54 am
by keegan watson
I am playing the Gregson right now on F and feel that this works very well. The fingerings lay well on the horn and the sound is good.
Just my $.02
Keegan
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:43 am
by tubacrow
I think the choice of tuba, while range is an issue is some piece, is the choice of the player and their sense of sound. I have heard the Gregson and many other staples of our literature played on F, Eb, Bb, and C. I personally chose to play the Gregson on C. Reitan offers an interest question of why. I chose to do this because I like the sound and depth I was able to bring to the piece, but yes I had to remain aware of the size of the horn, and not let the sound get wide and distroted.
In Short: The choice of Key/size of horn is a personal thing that varies as much as we do as people.
