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tuba4sissies wrote:Or is it better to play 1 contra bass and 1 bass tuba?

I think that if you asked this question 30 or 40 years ago, the answers would usually be a 4/4 CC tuba in the U.S., a Besson Eb in the UK (and much of its former empire), and a large F tuba in most of Europe. These differences stem from traditional differences, and also from regional sound concepts.

Sound concepts have merged since then, and orchestras now play a wider repertoire. Also, orchestras are trying to increase their sound output, I think to compete with modern life's higher ambient noise and with amplified music. Thus, I think it's becoming standard practice for orchestra pros to have more than one instrument. In Germany, that would be F and BBb, in the UK it would Eb and CC, and in most other places it would be F and CC. Exceptions abound, of course.

I find it convenient to own five instruments: A big contrabass, a small contrabass, a big bass, a small bass, and a euphonium. Even as a community-band amateur, I like having those choices available (and I'm extremely fortunate to have the option). I use the big contrabass for band, the small contrabass for standing band gigs, such as in the summer, and for playing fourth part in a tuba quartet. I use the the big bass tuba for when the band part calls for a bass tuba concept, such as transcriptions of Berlioz or parts that park themselves in the upper register. The small bass tuba works well for chamber music. And then I have a euphonium, because when I need it nothing else will do. Of course I would do fine with fewer instruments and if the circumstances dictated it I would do so, and be happy to have the opportunity to play at all.

But you asked about orchestra pros. I know orchestra pros who use only two instruments, but I don't think I can recall anyone who is still playing in a professional orchestra who has only one.

Rick "who thinks one is enough until about halfway through undergraduate music school" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:...I don't think I can recall anyone who is still playing in a professional orchestra who has only one.

Rick "who thinks one is enough until about halfway through undergraduate music school" Denney

I don't know if he has changed recently, but Dave Pack in the Phoenix Symphony was using only one (very) large CC tuba for everything.

(This may be the exception that proves the rule, so to speak.)

What ever musical group that pays you will usually,in some form,choose your instrument.You already are versatile in that you play several instruments.If you could add bass guitar and be willing to sing backup-if not lead,you would be so employable.Got to take the work that's out there.It would also help to own a P.A. and a van and be able to drive far and lift enormous loads (be no stranger to a hand truck).
tubatooter1940

the elephant wrote:What're you dudes having for supper???

Mexican Food!

Rick "or what passes for same in these Philistine parts" Denney

Any tuba you can play like a god.

Amy

It is my understanding that Tommy Johnson does all of his gigs on a large F tuba (Yamaha 822). Of course, it might take someone like him to be able to pull that off.