TubeNet

This is obviously a trivial detail, but my partners and I have debated over this several times.

Should the 1st chair tuba sit next to the bass trombones in a band, meaning he is in between the trombone and the 2nd chair, or should he be at the very end of the row?

Opinions are appreciated.

On his ... or wherever the director says. If he can't see or hear where he's put, he should ask to move to where he can. Unless he's a she, in which case she should sit on her ...

Of course, the conductor is the decider in seating issues, but I have always felt the the (principal) tuba should be physically close to the bass drum, in concert band.

I think that orchestra is pretty standard, with regard to tuba placement.

wherever the h@#$ he wants !!!!

When I got to be 1st tuba my father always wanted me in the middle of the section so the rest of the tubists could learn from what I was doing. 50 years later I am still doing it that way. Since I play a front-action tuba I always ask someone with a top-action horn to sit on my right so we can share a chart when necessary. But as several others mentioned, the conductor has the final say, period.

As a section leader, I prefer sitting in the center in order for the section to hear me and, just as important, for me to hear the section. Its easier for me to hear problems and communicate with the section without resorting to my "drill sergeant voice" to give instructions.

I prefer to have the bass drum in center back, with the rest of the percussion going off to one side and the tubas off to the other, so that the bass drum and tubas can knit together. I've played in just about every configuration someone can think of, and this is the one that gives the best cohesion to the rest of the band. I don't think the positioning on either side means that much, especially if you have a good sound shell. The only thing from a practical standpoint is that I would have valve up tubas to the player's right and front valve tubas to the player's left to avoid knocking bells.

Chris Lloyd wrote:In my personal opinion, the principal tubist should sit in the back center of the entire orchestra near the bass drum abd bones. That way the sound is much more balanced.

As I think about it, the issue of the tuba's placement in orchestral landscape is much less important than in the band set up. You play less frequently in the orchestra, making the question somewhat irrelevant, and you are not in the "rhythm section".

Don't get me wrong, I love playing in an orchestra, but the role is 70% different than band playing.

I believe where the section leader sits is far less important than the skill and judgement s/he exercises as leader of the section.

jonesbrass wrote:I believe where the section leader sits is far less important than the skill and judgement s/he exercises as leader of the section.

I'd agree with you, but when the section leader exercises some judgement in the seating, he/she can maximize his/her effect on how things get played.

I'm the section leader in our community band and I sit on the right side of the section for quick access to the percussion section when they need an extra player. In our municipal (summer band, I also sit on the right side, but I am in front of the percussion
where I am not needed and because the band shell is cramped. Since I generally play Eb tuba, the entire section can hear me.

I definately feel the section leader should have the bell toward the rest of the section. So he can lead by example of his playing. Not to mention I can't stand to have a bell in my ear when I'm playing so I always sit far right . I find it very difficult to play well when I have less than satisfactory sounds being delivered directly to my ear.

I've done both setups in the same wind ensemble for the past 5 years and I really don't "prefer" one over the other. We used to sit on the right side of the ensemble on the edge of the stage and I (1st chair) had the other tuba player's bell facing me and I liked being close to the audience but that was the only thing I really liked about it.

Recently we've been in the middle of the band between the trumpets and trombones and my previous tuba instructor (Dr. Ben Miles) told me to sit with my bell facing the other tuba player for tuning/articulation purposes. It's worked out just fine but sometimes sitting by the trombone section isn't quite fun...

I generally sit left end of row, so my left facing bell does not clash with the right facing bells of the British EEb usual in UK concert bands. Also makes sharing a music stand easy when necessary.

For position in the band, varies from band to band and conductor to conductor. My preferred is to the far right of the conductor so the bell points out towards the audience. Recordings I have made with my H2 have shown this makes a huge difference to the balance of sound with the bass line more focused and prominent.

Wherever required to avoid hearing mistakes that will mess me up.

Rick "sometimes this requires sitting in the next room" Denney

Wherever the guy who *thinks* he's the section leader wants me to.

I've sat all over the place over the years. Just after I joined the Oz army we did a big outdoor concert in a big music bowl in Melbourne. it was a combined concert with the air force, choirs, orchestra and all. 1812 and the full Berlioz La Marsielle original (forget the original title). The string basses couldn't be heard too well so I had to copy out a composite part from the original bass and the tuba parts. I ended up right at the front of the stage with the bell pointing out into the audience and told no holds barred - let er rip so people at the back could hear it. They did. They became known as the Chikowski and Berliose tuba concertos. Good fun!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yes......... I hate being near the musicians labourers. Bass drums and tymps tend to cause disruptive back pressure and all those other noise makers aren't good for the hearing. Thanks to cymbals, zlyfones and all that junk I now have less than 50% hearing and the bit of disability pension I get for it doesn't make up for the loss.

sloan wrote:Wherever the guy who *thinks* he's the section leader wants me to.

That is an interesting comment, because in no concert band that I have played has one of us been 'appointed' section leader. There is usually just the two of us and we just amicably agree things between us - such as who takes top, or bottom and who is to play any solo passages (in my regular band we divide up between us)

[ The late-60's-ish retired-with-Korean-War-experience self-appointed section leader approached her about "auditioning", "probationary period", etc... She was polite to him, and I just let it be. It's important to learn to be respectful of others' domains.[/quote]

Not a bad point Joe, however, I think a lot of bands would attract more and better players if some of the self annointed messiahs would leave their egos and attitudes at home. I bet your daughter didn't beg to go along to that band again.

Sit next to whoever is the most fun to sit with. If they make you laugh so hard you can't make your entrance, then you've got it ...If you aren't happy, then think about playing horn...you've probably got the chops for it, anyway.