So... what's the "in" F tuba these days?

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:59 pm

there are plenty of 3valve F tubas made in Germany. I've played a couple, aside from the limited low range the low C actually seemed to speak better than most traditional German-style Fs with 5 or 6 valves. The 3valve F is more common in Germany now than the 3valve Eb is in the US. Being smaller, ergo for kids...

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:45 am

In addition, there were some countries where it seemed like the younger kids were all learning on F. Hungary comes to mind as that type of place. Ergonomically, that makes perfect sense to me.
Yes, lots of BBbs being played in Germany, but also quite a few Fs as well. The military and police bands in Germany, for example, frequently had 1 or 2 players on BBb, and 1 or 2 on F, playing the parts in parallel octaves. What a GREAT sound!!

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:44 am

Scooby Tuba wrote:There's something wrong with all my F tubas.

I wonder if someone can help me... You're beyond help...

All my F tubas play flat.

Really flat.

As in a whole step FLAT!!! HA!

Sounds like you need to drastically cut the tuning slide on your Eb.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:53 pm

Scooby Tuba wrote:There's something wrong with all my F tubas.

I wonder if someone can help me... You're beyond help...

All my F tubas play flat.

Really flat.

As in a whole step FLAT!!! HA!

Just use alternate fingerings. For example, those who have F tubas that play that flat often find that they can get the notes in tune if they use the fourth valve in lieu of the low F. And they also find that 1-2 works really well for the G. It takes a lot of alternate fingerings to make horns like these work, but it's worth it in the end.

Rick "whose C tubas are also grossly flat requiring lots of alternate fingerings" Denney

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:41 pm

Rick Denney wrote:Rick "whose C tubas are also grossly flat requiring lots of alternate fingerings" Denney

Rick, you need to add "and who can't see the trees for the forest of humor"

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:36 pm

eupher61 wrote:
Rick Denney wrote:Rick "whose C tubas are also grossly flat requiring lots of alternate fingerings" Denney
Rick, you need to add "and who can't see the trees for the forest of humor"

I rather thought that I saw something others missed or ignored.

Rick "whose Eb tubas play mighty sharp" Denney

Charlie Goodman · Post by **Charlie Goodman** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:25 pm

A lot of the more... *cough* venerable posters on this board have seemed a little disdainful of the Firebirds all of us kids have been buying, which makes me wonder about something else that I've encountered talking to other players. Why is the Firebird treated as a fad horn, whereas people seem generally more positive about the Norwegian Star? Is it because there isn't as much to choose from in the way of Eb tubas, or because the horns are genuinely better, or because Oystein is really neat, or because Firebird isn't as cool a name as Norwegian Star... or what? Maybe it's just my small poll group.

So anyway, for those who have played both, do you notice a difference other than key (and the obvious differences that go with, like the low and middle C's everyone is so bothered about)?

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:30 pm

The Firebird, to my ears, has a fairly bright sound, especially when compared to some of the "bigger" rotary F tubas. I loved the response of the horn I tried a while back, and the low C was almost as easy as on my old Yamaha 621 -- it was the first roterh F I played that I would consider to have a manageable low C -- even an EASY low C. But I wasn't sold on the brighter / lighter sound -- unless a smaller rotary F sound was especially what I was looking for.

I'm guessing (and I could be wrong) that the Firebird isn't considered quite "beefy" enough for all of the "typical" applications for a bigger, ("orchestral" ?) F tuba.

Haven't yet had the chance to play the Norwegian Star ....

Cheers,

Charlie Goodman · Post by **Charlie Goodman** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:50 pm

Well, for what it's worth, I play my Firebird in quintet and for solo stuff, and it's absolutely wonderful. In quintet, it can get quiet enough to really blend even at pianissimo without me killing myself to play quieter, and yet can still sing out louder sections. But I'm nineteen and need to practice more and I'm probably just not used to playing bass tuba.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:00 am

The M-W 2040/5 Eb is a good tuba to get if you want an F tuba sort of sound, without the low register problems which seem inherent in F tubas.

jma78 · Post by **jma78** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:14 pm

Doc wrote:
Roger Lewis wrote:the best F tuba I have ever played is the new (old) JBL Classics horn from B&S. I don't know if it is available in the states, but it is a pre-Parentucci F tuba that has been redesigned with the help of Jens Bjorn Larsen. Playing it against the drone tones, there isn't a note on this horn that I have "to go to" and the low C rocks. The easiest F tuba to learn to play that I have ever found - because you don't have to LEARN to play it. It's what I call a "grab and go" horn. And what a SOUND!

Just my $0.02 (when the hell did they take the "cents" sign off the keyboard??)

Roger
How can someone learn more about this JBL B&S?

About one month ago I bought a JBL Classics. I must say itÂ´s a fantastic instrument. Hopefully it will soon be available to you guys in the states. IÂ´ll try to attach a photo. Enjoy!

jma78 · Post by **jma78** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:17 pm

About one month ago I bought a JBL Classics. I must say itÂ´s a fantastic instrument. Hopefully it will soon be available to you guys in the states. IÂ´ll try to attach a photo. Enjoy!

DidnÂ´t work... hereÂ´s the url.

http://groups.msn.com/MeltonFafner/shoe ... PhotoID=31

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:36 pm

A true low C story from a week ago.

Had some people over to play quintets; since I wanted to play horn I got a tuba player from the brass band. He had never played anything but a BBb, laid off for 30 years or so and took it up again a year and a half ago, and has a VMI rotor BBb.

He wanted to try my MW 182 F tuba, so I said sure. I suggested he start with the F on the bottom of the staff and go from there. He did, playing F, and working his way down, to the C, which sounded just like the rest of the notes, and then on down from there.

Nobody ever told him that the C on an F tuba is difficult. I decided here is a guy with really relaxed chops.

MA

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:57 pm

Denzel Washington digs the tuba, especially this one (I'm guessing it's an F tuba) that appears to have SEVEN rotary valves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czZAdRrki9A

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:06 pm

Dylan King wrote:Denzel Washington digs the tuba, especially this one (I'm guessing it's an F tuba) that appears to have SEVEN rotary valves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czZAdRrki9A

It's a 6v Rudolf Meinl F with a second valve trigger. The trigger is the third key you see for the left hand.

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:47 pm

Interesting embouchure .... sehr Interessant ....

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:22 pm

cjk wrote:
Dylan King wrote:Denzel Washington digs the tuba, especially this one (I'm guessing it's an F tuba) that appears to have SEVEN rotary valves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czZAdRrki9A
It's a 6v Rudolf Meinl F with a second valve trigger. The trigger is the third key you see for the left hand.

I should have guessed, as I used to own a 6-valve Rudy. Ha!

TubeNet

So... what's the "in" F tuba these days?

Re: So far.....

Re: So far.....