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How many out there find the need for or prefer to own a tuba in each key?

Do you mean BBb, CC, F, and Eb or those oddballs you hear about such as tubas in D, A, etc?

Bloke has followed the instruments without regard to key. Pros do that.

I have Bb and F, and don't really feel the need to learn fingerings for Eb and C. The C tubas that might have persuaded me to were too expensive, and I've been able to find Bb tubas of similar quality. And I've never been tempted to sit down with an Eb tuba, and at this point I don't want to in case it forced me to do something I would rather not do.

Rick "standing pat" Denney

I play Eb and F and some Bb. Never tried a C. I get confused on the fingerings so I transpose the music for F and Bb to treble clef and pretend I'm playing trumpet. When I'm playing F, it is usually to fill in the french horn part. Otherwise, I choose the instrument based on the needs of the group. For most people, getting really good on one key is probably best.

opus37 wrote: For most people, getting really good on one key is probably best.

I'd rather be better at one thing than really shitty at everything!!

Because of the different instruments in different keys composed for over the centuries that are now simply called "tuba" there is a use for at least playing BBb/CC, Eb/F, tenor tuba in Bb/C and even multiple sizes of each (6/4, 5/4, 4/4, 3/4) for all of the applications to do the parts justice.

The worst part is having to haul two or more to a service! At least trumpeters get quadruple cases!!

Three Valves wrote:

opus37 wrote: For most people, getting really good on one key is probably best.

I'd rather be better at one thing than really shitty at everything!!

You're right. I'd rather play all music well than just the music suited for one instrument.

Rick " " Denney

Three Valves wrote:

opus37 wrote: For most people, getting really good on one key is probably best.

I'd rather be better at one thing than really shitty at everything!!

Ditto. I play primarily play BBb but like to play a bit of Eb once in a while to keep the treble clef fingerings fresh in my mind for when the brass band snots throw me a fake (treble clef) tuba part.

Function over form. Choose the right tool for the job. What matters is that you sound exactly as you want to sound in whatever it is that you're doing. You determine that (as does, sometimes, the leader of that group) so having a good concept in mind will lead you in that direction. Past that requirement, make accomplishing that as easy as you possibly can do it. Simple.

Three Valves wrote:

opus37 wrote: For most people, getting really good on one key is probably best.

I'd rather be better at one thing than really shitty at everything!!

I agree. I mainly play BBb, can keep up with Eb if the part isn't too hard. Have not tried F or CC. I have big and small BBb horns depending on the size of the group. They suffice for my playing. I just don't feel the need to buy a CC or F and learn new fingerings. Possibly when I retire.

Stryk wrote:I don't see how anyone could NEED an Eb and an F.

6/4 F, 3/4 F, brass band Eb. They all have their uses.

When I was just starting out, I used a 19th century American Eb for all those gigs. Got by. But that's all I was doing until I could afford the right equipment.

There is no need but curiosity:
BBb Cerveny 701
C Wessex Mahler
EEb Weltklang
F Cerveny 654-6

and I play them just my mood.