I play a new 163 CC alex. It's not so much that it's out of tune, but that it has very wide slots. You have to have very good relative pitch to play it in tune. Having said this, it has the best response and sound quality of any CC i tried out, which is why I bought it in the first place. After about one month of careful practice I no longer have any pitch issues with it. Be warned though, some of them are terrible...I'm an alex owner so I can say this:)...and will require modifications to be able to play them in tune.
cheers
ljkline
New Alexander CC tubas
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Mark E. Chachich
- 3 valves

- Posts: 481
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:07 pm
- Location: Maryland
As an Alexander 163 CC player (for 31 years) I agree about slotting the notes (more then most tubas). The Alex will sound the note where you put it, in or out of tune. I think that this is a lot of the reputation of Alexanders being out of tune.
I have no problem playing my Alex in tune. As for the sound and response, they are what I like.
enjoy,
Mark
I have no problem playing my Alex in tune. As for the sound and response, they are what I like.
enjoy,
Mark
Mark E. Chachich, Ph.D.
Principal Tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Life Member, Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, A.F.M., Local 40-543
Life Member, ITEA
Principal Tuba, Bel Air Community Band
Life Member, Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, A.F.M., Local 40-543
Life Member, ITEA