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Greetings fellow Tubenetters.

For our next concert my youth orchestra is going to be performing pictures at an exhibition. I have no way of getting an F tuba for Bydlo so I decided that my best route is probably to do it with a Euphonium. Turns out my high school didn't have any euphoniums they could lend me, so I'm forced to do this on a small baritone horn. Nonetheless, I've been making progress and have become pretty consistent with this movement. I have run into a few minor problems though.

After I'm done playing euphonium/baritone and I switch back to tuba my sound is very light. I've been buzzing a lot on both mouthpieces in an attempt to make switching between the two easier, but so far results aren't too great.

Does anyone have any practice tips, exercises, or advice on the kind of mindset I should have when switching between the two instruments?

Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.


-Garrett

This is a bit of an ambitious chart for a "youth" orchestra to be taking on and frankly, unless you are the next Roger Bobo (or in that class) VERY ambitious for a High School tubist (as I assume, possibly mistakenly) that you are.

Unless you have enough time to become proficient on that baritone you would be wise to suggest to the conductor/manager or the orchestra that they consider having the "solo" part of Bydlo played by one of the trombone players, or get an "extra" in or even have the principal horn play it.

There would be no shame in this as many a top level "pro" orchestra takes this path. I have attended Chicago Symphony concerts where Jake sat out the solo while Glen Dodson, or somebody else played the solo.

Don't try to be a hero and attempt something you are not ready for. If you try it, and just get by, it will be a none event. If you try it, and make a mess of it you will be "the A hole" that messed up the performance. Better to let somebody else either perform it well (or blow it) than make a BAD name for yourself.

A lot of regular Euphonium/baritone players of average or above ability would be hard pressed to make Bydlo a memorable part of the program. Think it over......

Why not play it on a C tuba?

TUbajohn20J wrote:Why not play it on a C tuba?

Better yet, why?

Bob Kolada wrote:

TUbajohn20J wrote:Why not play it on a C tuba?

Better yet, why?

I'd play it on the horn I was most comfortable with whether it be a BBb, C or Eb...just sayin'

TUbajohn20J wrote:

Bob Kolada wrote:

TUbajohn20J wrote:Why not play it on a C tuba?

Better yet, why?

I'd play it on the horn I was most comfortable with whether it be a BBb, C or Eb...just sayin'

This is such a "tubenet" answer...

TINY F, Euphonium, or usurp your power to the trombone lovelies.

The more you do the switching off thing the easier it gets - if your chops have the potential for some flexibility. But it won't get easier to start when you're 50. You are young. You can probably do this.

Recommendation?
Don't be a hero.

If you're not COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE with the doubling, give the baritone and the music to a trombone player to play. It's done that way in many professional orchestras for the same reason.

If you're going to try it, buzz. Find loud(er) sections where you can keep warming up on the next mouthpiece and try to keep it in pitch, tempo, etc. with the music going on around you.
Don't take either instrument for granted. Buzz on the tuba mouthpiece before you go back.

And good luck. It's not so easy when you've had a lot more study and are getting paid.

The youth orchestra I played with for a few years (Bergen Youth Orchestra, NJ) did Pictures the season before I joined. They gave the Bydlo solo to the first chair horn player. Guess what - the timbre fit in well, and it worked.

gdthetubaman1291 wrote:Greetings fellow Tubenetters.

For our next concert my youth orchestra is going to be performing pictures at an exhibition. I have no way of getting an F tuba for Bydlo so I decided that my best route is probably to do it with a Euphonium. Turns out my high school didn't have any euphoniums they could lend me, so I'm forced to do this on a small baritone horn. Nonetheless, I've been making progress and have become pretty consistent with this movement. I have run into a few minor problems though.

After I'm done playing euphonium/baritone and I switch back to tuba my sound is very light. I've been buzzing a lot on both mouthpieces in an attempt to make switching between the two easier, but so far results aren't too great.

Does anyone have any practice tips, exercises, or advice on the kind of mindset I should have when switching between the two instruments?

Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.


-Garrett

I had the same issue. I was hired to play tuba for a youth orchestra concert and Pictures was up. I also did not have an F available, so I borrowed a euphonium. The difference was/is that I am comfortable with playing euphonium....and I was about 23 when I did this. I would have NEVER attempted this in high school. Awesome that you're trying, but I think you have to give this one to someone who does this. It's far easier to swallow pride than look/sound like a fool.

if you are going to do it, practice the switch everyday. play the solo on the bari and then play the tuba. It will get easier the more you do it.
k

Ken Herrick wrote:This is a bit of an ambitious chart for a "youth" orchestra to be taking on

I concur. In the context of the many other complexities in this piece (piccolo trumpet comes to mind), I think the tuba solo would be a relatively minor worry for the MD.

Hello again everybody.

After thinking this over for a while, I've decided to give the solo to the bass trombonist. I feel like it would be best to give myself time to develop more proficiency on euphonium before tackling this. I'd rather be 110% sure that I would be able to pull it off at any given time just after switching instruments. And I strongly agree with the statement, "Don't be a hero." I've seen others face the consequences and would never like to put myself in that position.

A big thanks to everyone for all of the helpful advice!

-Garrett

Good on ya, Garrett,

You concentrate on doing the very best at what you can be best at. There is plenty to do in Pictures where you can carry the band and make a name for yourself as the man that put down the foundation for the rest to build on and that is what it's all about.

Good luck - work hard - and it will pay in the long run!!!!!!

All the best,

Ken