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Fellow tuba players,

I am trying to transcribe the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, and I am having a slight problem. If I take it in one octave, I must play a G below pedal Bb, and if I take it in another octave, I must play the D or E above the C above middle C. The question is, which octave should I take it in?

Thank you.

I would transpose it up a minor 3rd, making the lowest note a pedal Bb, and highest an F or G above middle C. Just my humble opinion. And if those key signatures look nasty, maybe do the lowest as a low A, or pedal C. Just depends on how it feels.

IMHO, the goal is to make it sound like music. Choose the key and octave accordingly.
If the notes are too high or too low to play musically then edit them by imagining how Felix M. would have written them for tuba.

Thomas Wyss has already done the last movement in this little album http://www.justforbrass.com/the-thomas- ... 114055.cfm

I would check out Steven Seward's recording of this, it's amazing. I believe the title of his album is Steven Seward: Kansas City Dances.