Doc, I don't know if it is just the "ME" attitude, but our perception of what is the "RIGHT" balance. Music has become much more bass heavy in the last 50 years and that has no doubt, consciously, or unconsciously changed our perception. Also, what we hear on recordings has also changed our perception of how the tuba should balance.Doc wrote:The "I WILL be heard" attitude has been prevalent much longer than many of us have been around, as has the arms race that was the inevitable result. Most of us have participated/do participate in this arms race, as well as retain this attitude of "ME" to some degree. How many are selfless enough to be content simply blending with the ensemble without being a discernible voice in the ensemble?
Who but Wagner can really definitively say if the tuba should be the predominant voice in the overture to Meistersinger, or blend in more with the basses. I think unless the conductor says he wants otherwise, most of us take it to be a solo for the tuba, leading the bass ensemble.
Although commendably selfless I think most of us today would consider the balance in Arthur Doyle's day as rather thin and a professional tubist who just blended and did no give a real foundation would not be considered up to the job today. Neither is right, or wrong - but different perceptions of how the music should sound.
