Is there any difference between a tuba part in...

[Dutchtown Sousa]

Is there any difference between a tuba part in a grade four piece of music of a grade four tuba part? Sort of worrying me because even the tuba part in a grade four piece the my band class is working on is not as rhythmically challenging as a trumpet part in a grade 3 part. So would it be safe to say the tuba part in a grade four piece of music is more or less a grade two or three? Now you may ask why I would be concerned about this and here lies the fact: when I learned to play the tuba in middle school our band director did not teach us how to read music rather how to repeat music. As a sophomore in high school I really want to be able to get into the symphonic band and eventually be in a college band or orchestra although I can really only read basic rhythms (terrible, I know). I know I have the skills otherwise to play the music in the symphonic band (good tone, good range, good dynamic contrast, ability to read notes). So basically can you offer any tips on advancing my ability to read rhythms?

[PMeuph]

Is there any difference between a tuba part in a grade four piece of music of a grade four tuba part? Sort of worrying me because even the tuba part in a grade four piece the my band class is working on is not as rhythmically challenging as a trumpet part in a grade 3 part. So would it be safe to say the tuba part in a grade four piece of music is more or less a grade two or three? Now you may ask why I would be concerned about this and here lies the fact: when I learned to play the tuba in middle school our band director did not teach us how to read music rather how to repeat music. As a sophomore in high school I really want to be able to get into the symphonic band and eventually be in a college band or orchestra although I can really only read basic rhythms (terrible, I know). I know I have the skills otherwise to play the music in the symphonic band (good tone, good range, good dynamic contrast, ability to read notes). So basically can you offer any tips on advancing my ability to read rhythms?

First, while it unfair to generalize about every composer, in most music for middle-high school the low brass parts and specifically the tuba parts are overall easier than the rest of the band.

This first rhythmic hurdle might be a difficult one to explain online... So I will ask so lead in questions

Can you count from 1 to 4 repeatedly without losing a pulse?
When someone else counts, can you count back groups half the speed or twice as fast? (ie. half notes or eighth notes)
What do you mean b basic?

Honestly, if you can truly understand how to count from whole notes to eight notes, all you need to improve is practice and dedication.

Here is a mildly pertinent link. This progressive collection of dictation could serve as a great base to improve your skills. (You could start and read through from the begining, singing each example, with a neutral "la" at first and really striving for rhythmic accuracy.

If my explanation is too basic for you, could you post some rhythms you find perplexing...
http://imslp.org/wiki/1000_Examples_of_ ... Nikolay%29" target="_blank

[Rick Denney]

Get a version of Arban etudes. Encore Music publishes one that has been transposed (from the Bb trumpet original) for C tuba. If you can read down an octave (a worthwhile skill in and of itself, especially if you are ever asked to read string bass parts), get the Bb trombone version. The earlier etudes focus more on rhythms and scales, and don't start really challenging flexibility until the later etudes. You'll get over your hump pretty early in that book, I think.

If you can't figure it out at speed, then slow it down. Learn how to sub-divide when you count: quarter notes are "One-Two-Three-Four"; eighth notes are "One-and-Two-and-Three-and-Four-and"; 16th notes are "One-e-and-a-Two-e-and-a-Three-e-and-a-Four-e-and-a"; and triplets (or triple-meter, such as 6/8 or 12/8) are "One-and-a-Two-and-a-Three-and-a-Four-and-a". Learn how to count these out (with your speaking voice) to a metronome set for a quarter note. Start at a slow tempo--maybe quarter to 60 beats/min. Work on making each syllable evenly spaced with the other syllables.

When you get to a passage with a rhythm you can't play, speak it out using the above syllables, slowing down as necessary and then speeding up. Then play it.

If you can sing it, you can play it.

An important point: Never depend on your band music to set the limit of what you learn. Music in band and orchestra will almost always be too easy. It's not too soon to start acquiring solo music and etude books of greater difficulty than ensemble music. Etudes help with various aspects of playing: Arban with scales and rhythms, Rochut (played down an octave--it's a trombone transcription of the Bordogni singing etudes) with melodic musicality and phrasing, Snedecor with the low register, and Blazevich for a mix of these. Arnold Jacobs routinely played the solo material for other instruments to learn how to make music the way other instruments in the orchestra make music.

Rick "who never really wants to be at his technical limit within the ensemble" Denney

[swillafew]

Get help on this from any person who's ability you admire; a teacher, a peer, etc.

Even the most experienced players sometimes work an unfamiliar pattern very slowly to get it right.

Good luck!

[Mister Stone]

Lessons would be quite beneficial. You could potentially improve your playing and musicianship beyond that of your peers. There is no substitute for lessons and practice. That's my two cents.