A true orchestral contrabass tuba is in B♮ (17' 1" bugle)...

[Ken Herrick]

…..and..... a high pitch Eb is easier still to turn into an E bass tuba...jus sayin…..

[iiipopes]

Sorry, bloke, I just can't "C" what you are getting at....

[timayer]

Sounds like yet another good use for a removable bell tuba. Just a few screws, and your BBb becomes an orchestral horn.

I see no downside to this.

[Alex C]

I've never considered fingerings an issue. Yes, playing technical music in the key of D-flat on a CC tuba has bonafide challenges but nothing a fairly good player should worry about.

Isn't it like using an F tuba because the part is high? Yes, the higher key tuba makes things seem less intimidating but the bottom line is, if you can't buzz it then it doesn't matter what tuba you have. Yes, the Bobo's D tuba would make that pesky low E-to-F# trill easier but aren't there other alternatives, including practice.

Also, I would have to have a transposed part for B, E or F# tuba. I can only remember a limited number of fingerings.


So for me, no on the B and E tuba but fun to think about.

Although I do remember a teacher of mine telling me that William Bell played high parts on high key tubas and low parts on low key tubas so that he carried 4-5 tubas on all the jobs he went to. Don't know if it was true.

[MartyNeilan]

Don’t give people any ideas Joe... in a few years we will all have to own B natural “Ride” tubas to be taken seriously; I am sure the Chinese have already started to churn them out after reading your first post.

[Three Valves]

Genius!!

[MaryAnn]

I have already had to learn four sets of fingerings and have no desire to learn any more. Since I would not be a customer for such a thing, no worries on my end.

[Ken Herrick]

All you really need then is a catalytic converter.

[MaryAnn]

^^ HAHA!

[WessCollette]

Trying to be like a trumpet player with a horn fur every key?

[Highpitch]

And the OP was only 17 days late...

DG

[hup_d_dup]

This is a great solution for someone who can't decide whether to buy a Bb or C tuba. Allows the player to never resolve this important issue.

Hup