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I have the euphonium version of Patrick Sheridan and Sam Pilafian's The Brass Gym, which I like very much.

I have two fifteen-year-old students who recently switched from Eb to BBb tuba, and I would like to give them the tuba version. Is it written for CC or BBb tuba?

I realize that many parts won't matter, but I am wondering how they handle the lip slurs...

Thanks!
George Butler
Lasnamäe Muusikakool
Tallinn, Estonia

Lipslurs are for CC Tuba

There is benefit in playing it on any keyed tuba. Really the only issue you may have to work out is in the lip slur section. It is written for CC, but you can either play it in a group with everyone playing whatever their open series is.... or you can have them start with a valve series that is all matching (Like an Eb players starting with 4 down, while playing witha BBb player on their open BBb series).

The book doesn't go very high, minus the bugles section. That's a pro, not a con, in my book. Pretty much the whole thing is in the tuba gravy range, or really low. All good stuff!

I have received an off-list message that I would like to share:

"The 20 minute warmup is a great alternative for the BBb horns. Micheal
Davis is the author. Get the tuba one."

It just so happens, that we have spent the last couple of months with the tuba versions of the easy Michael Davis and Shari Feder "Brass Buzz." And, their "Just add Tuba" solo collection. And, the "Double Dip" duet collection. (Anyone one looking for material for young guys, these are really good and fun.)

I'm afraid that the Davis/Feder/Pokorny "20 Minute Warm-up" would be quite a stretch for these guys, as they are closer to intermediate level than advanced. The original "15 Minute Warmup" would be perfect for them now, but there is no tuba version.

Maybe I should buy the "20 Minute" for them to hear Gene. Then, buy a couple of "15 Minute" for trombone. They haven't had any experience yet transposing down an octave, and that would be a good way to start.

--George Butler, trombonista
Lasnamäe Muusikakool, Tallinn, Estonia

George, you may want to consider the trumpet version, which is in Bb, so the lip slurs should be correct. This is a great way to gently introduce your students to the very important skill of reading Bb treble clef.

Hup.

The "Daily Routines for Tuba" are a really good alternative to the Brass Gym as well. (With BBb Lip-Slur fingerings in bassclef)

by david vining by mountain peak music