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Hello, one and all.

Starting on Wednesday, I'll be rehearsing with the Madison Brass Band, and I have a question about the transposition. For the first time, I'm playing the Eb part on an Eb tuba--would I be correct in thinking that, when I see the transposed part, I read the piece as if it were concert clef, with the C below the treble clef staff being my open Eb? As an example, if I were to see a key signature with one sharp, would I play all of my (concert pitch) As with the second valve, (for A natural)? Same for key signatures with flats. Sorry if this question is a little convoluted, but I just want to double check my transposition knowledge.

Thanks,
Aaron H.

P.S., to put it another way, would I use the same fingerings if I played the treble clef parts at concert pitch and down two octaves on my CC tuba? I do that often as it is, so it wouldn't be that difficult to translate those fingerings to the Eb tuba, with practice.

The easiest way I taught myself when I started playing in a brass band for the Eb bass part is to read it in bass clef, but add 3 flats.

The "easiest way" is not really the best way, because you would have to change some accidentals (i.e. TC C natural = BC E flat)

The foolproof way is to actually read the treble clef, and use standard cornet fingerings. Or do as you say in the P.S., read down 2 octaves and use the CC fingerings.

Dave Woolpert, the principal euph in the MBB can show you the ropes. You'll do fine.

Read it as trumpet fingerings, but make a mental note to smack your teachers in the back of the head next time you see them.

AHynds wrote: For the first time, I'm playing the Eb part on an Eb tuba--would I be correct in thinking that, when I see the transposed part, I read the piece as if it were concert clef, with the C below the treble clef staff being my open Eb? As an example, if I were to see a key signature with one sharp, would I play all of my (concert pitch) As with the second valve, (for A natural)? Same for key signatures with flats. Sorry if this question is a little convoluted, but I just want to double check my transposition knowledge.

P.S., to put it another way, would I use the same fingerings if I played the treble clef parts at concert pitch and down two octaves on my CC tuba? I do that often as it is, so it wouldn't be that difficult to translate those fingerings to the Eb tuba, with practice.

yes and yes

have fun!

If you are playing an E-flat part, on an E-flat tuba, simply use trumpet fingerings (or baritone TC).