Doubling

[quinterbourne]

This is for fellow tuba players,

I would like to know what you would prefer to play when playing a second instrument (in addition to tuba). I have tried euphonium and bass trombone, but I don't think I can maintain both without severely sacrificing my tuba playing. I've come to the realization that bass trombone doesn't improve euphonium and euphonium doesn't improve bass trombone (which is what I thought was the case).

I've exclude non-wind instruments to keep this simple. I think we can all agree that learning non-wind instruments (ie piano), in most cases, is harmless. I know a lot of you play (acoustic) bass, and I think that is a good idea (esp. to develop the ear).

If there are any other wind instruments you play (or would consider playing) in addition to tuba, let me know. I've heard that some of you play french horn, trumpet and even saxophone. If you don't mind, please provide your reasoning behind the instrument. Do you think it at all adversely effects your tuba playing?

I've played clarinet and sax, but I feel that they really take away from my tuba playing. Perhaps it is because the embouchures needed for those instruments (and other brass instruments including euphonium/t-bone) utilize different muscles that kinda interfere with the tuba playing muscles.

factors:
- secondary instrument impact (positive or negative) on the primary (tuba) embouchure, breathing, etc
- economical reasons (ie marketability)

[Lew]

I voted for other because I believe that string bass (and bass guitar) is the best double for a tuba player, at least for one who wishes to work regularly. Plenty of people double on bone, and I think that you should be able to play any of them, but a bass player is a bass player.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Work wise, string/electric bass is a great double. Bass Trombone would be the next logical choice as far as work goes. I don't know of any freelance players here in New York who don't double (I don't know everybody!!!), and I can't think of any freelance gigs that don't require it. Take a look at the players on broadway soundtrack's and Bass Trombone/Tuba or Bass/Tuba will come up often. Also, it opens you up for more work when you meet people on gigs and they find out they can call you for other things, or write parts with your double in mind. You might check out Jim Self's website, or Roger Bobo's for that matter. Good Luck. Peace. ASG

[BopEuph]

The euphonium is the "tenor sax" of the brass family. Of course, to be an artist or a wannabe artist, the same intensity of pursuit must be applied, but the truth is that it can be played fairly well with little required practicing. flame away!

That's a good way of putting it. When I work on transcriptions for euph, I usually transcribe tenor, because it's the closest combiation of range and technique. The nuances of a tenor are easier than the nuances of a trombone (however, it depends on the trombonist).

Nick

[Lew]

The euphonium ... can be played fairly well with little required practicing. flame away!

I would add for any competent tuba player. On the other hand, it is at the bottom of the list for doubling as far as I'm concerned because there is so little opportunity to play it in professional music. Baritone horns are very rarely used in anything other than band music. Unless you plan to join a military band, there are very few professional bands.

[Kevin Miller]

Tuba/Upright Bass/Electric Bass will get you more jobs than any other double. Actually, in order of importance......Electric Bass/Upright Bass/Tuba. It's a cruel reality, but we all live in the real world don't we?

[tubatooter1940]

Tuba/rhythm or lead guitar plus vocals wil put some bucks in your pocket.

[windshieldbug]

In our contract, multiple tubas were considered doubling if required by the music or requested by the conductor

BBb/CC were considered the same, as were Eb/F

Personally, I found that once I got the proper chops on tuba, all brass were better (though I stuck with valves, and stayed away from French Horns)

[finnbogi]

As long as you can push down the right valves, it's an easy double. I find it easy to go up in the brass family, so I figure playing euphonium would be incredibly easy for a tuba player.

That is quite right. I usually play E flat tuba so reading treble clef euphonium notes is easy. As soon as I had accepted the sound being a fifth higher than expected (which took a few minutes), there was nothing more to it. For the first few days, the upper limit of my range was the same as on the tuba (ca. the middle string B flat of the treble clef, concert pitch) but in a week or so I had got used to the mouthpiece and added a fourth to that. That's all I need for concert band playing.

It has taken me rather longer to learn how to play the bass trombone. I'm getting there...

[LOTP]

I'm probably not the best one to ask because I regularly play tuba and (F*****) Horn . Perhaps it should be something like my wife does: Euphonium, Cello, Bassoon.......a brass, a string, a woodwind.....all in the same range. I agree that upright/electric bass will probably get you the most work but of the choices listed I picked bass 'bone although cimbasso would have been cooler!

[Paul S]

Lew is correct in that string bass/bass guitar is the "best" double for a tuba player.

Double Bass is the instrument behind my "other" vote as well.
Being able to handle Arco (bow) well along with Pizz (plucked) would add and even better skill set for keeping busy.

[Mark Preece]

This is for fellow tuba players,

I would like to know what you would prefer to play when playing a second instrument (in addition to tuba). I have tried euphonium and bass trombone, but I don't think I can maintain both without severely sacrificing my tuba playing. I've come to the realization that bass trombone doesn't improve euphonium and euphonium doesn't improve bass trombone (which is what I thought was the case).

I've exclude non-wind instruments to keep this simple. I think we can all agree that learning non-wind instruments (ie piano), in most cases, is harmless. I know a lot of you play (acoustic) bass, and I think that is a good idea (esp. to develop the ear).

If there are any other wind instruments you play (or would consider playing) in addition to tuba, let me know. I've heard that some of you play french horn, trumpet and even saxophone. If you don't mind, please provide your reasoning behind the instrument. Do you think it at all adversely effects your tuba playing?

I've played clarinet and sax, but I feel that they really take away from my tuba playing. Perhaps it is because the embouchures needed for those instruments (and other brass instruments including euphonium/t-bone) utilize different muscles that kinda interfere with the tuba playing muscles.

factors:
- secondary instrument impact (positive or negative) on the primary (tuba) embouchure, breathing, etc
- economical reasons (ie marketability)

Hey, Corey!!! How's is going, man! Still kicking at Laurier! Tell Jane I said Hi! Email me sometime and we'll catch up!

A wise man once said, "It's better to be a master of one instrument than manageable on a few!"

[porkchopsisgood]

No Doubt:

Bass Bone & Electric Bass (upright if you're JUST that good.... )

I love being a tuba player, and I've played gigs on euph, bass, I don't think bass bone yet (good thing)......but man, being versatile certainly helps the pocket book.

Now if I could just get MORE jobs.....oh well....hehehehe