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Have been booked by a pretty good amateur orchestra to play some Wagner opera highlights tonight. Played with the full orchestra, including Wagner Tubas, last night for the first time and finally get why my little ol' EEb and 24AW doesn't cut it in the orchestral world. Bit of an eye opener to be honest as I've always maintained that it's the player, not the instrument, that dictates how well or badly the tuba fits into any ensemble and I've never had an issue before. Wishing I could lay my hands on a good BBb or CC in the next 6 hours (but that's not going to happen) just for Siegfried's funeral music alone!
Still, got another booking for 'Pictures' in 4 weeks where I'm doing Bydlo on the EEb. Thinking of trying my TU21 just for that little number.
Could be last 2 bookings ever

Absolutely - JF got it too.

PhilGreen wrote:Wishing I could lay my hands on a good BBb or CC in the next 6 hours (but that's not going to happen) just for Siegfried's funeral music alone!

Now that right there is some of the most poignant AND majestic BIG contrabass tuba stuff!
Definitely BAT material

Got through it, in fact probably saved the best til the day if I say so myself. It all just seemed to work.

Anyway, got booked for next season - Mahler 1 and Meistersingers - so may be on the lookout for a BBb in the meantime.

Phew.

Your current set up will work just fine on both. The Mahler lies nicely despite the low F at the start. Meistersinger is probably best done on an Eflat/F. Most amateur outfits are overpowered by bigger instruments . That said, I often use a Besson CC 995 in an amateur orchestra ( which the string and woodwind players really like) but I mind my manners!

Thanks, that's a relief. I do now have access to a Miraphone 190 if required but it's a beast to carry/hold/fill/tune so if I don't need it that's definitely a bonus.

An Eb is plenty loud enough...

That said, you should switch up if the timbre isn't fitting your conductor's vision. If you've been rehired going forward, don't forget to take that into account... s/he must like it plenty to bring you back.

J.c.S. (only playing Eb right now until my BAT arrives...)

J.c. Sherman wrote:An Eb is plenty loud enough...

That said, you should switch up if the timbre isn't fitting your conductor's vision. If you've been rehired going forward, don't forget to take that into account... s/he must like it plenty to bring you back.

J.c.S. (only playing Eb right now until my BAT arrives...)

J.c., what BAT did you end up getting?

Yeah! I want to know too! (New thread to not derail Phil's thread?)

I still have to make the final voyage to test, but the BBb will be....

a KING (bwahahahahahah!).

Still deciding on CC... it's a complicated market out there!