My new idea for a tuba sizing system classification

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:39 am

This topic has been around the block more than a few times. I still think tubas should be classified by key as to how much beer the open bugle will hold. Can't get no easier than that!

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:26 am

the elephant wrote:The data need to be collected uniformly, probably by one group of trained individuals that could come up with an adequate amount of time and money to travel to the horns and take the measurements.

Lo these many moons past, I originated (at least on these pages) the notion that size should be a three-dimensional measurement of volume rather than a two-dimensional measurement of width and height.

And I backed that up by comparing two tubas, one purportedly a 5/4 and the other the very definition of 4/4, that ended up having nearly the same volume. I should measure the Holton, when it comes back to me, to see how it compares.

http://www.rickdenney.com/york_vs_miraphone.htm

(To cross threads, note how this picture also illustrates the difference between the short-wide concept and the tall-narrow concept.)

And I volunteered then, and volunteer now, to measure the volume of a range of instruments, including, say, a Thor, a PT-6, an Alex (yours?), a 1291, a 2265 (yours?), anything with the name Baer attached to it, a Yorkbrunner, among others that interest me. (It could not be considered complete without measuring the Rudy Meinl 6/4 that Mike Lynch giggles about.) But, as you say, it's time-consuming work, and it would take me a while to get the measurements made. I think I could get it done, however, in about, oh, five years.

Rick "more for the instruments I like" Denney

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:40 am

I never use those designations as they are all arbitrary according to manufacturer and country. It's easier for me just to relate the sizes to a certain model (or make) of tuba. I get confused by 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, and 6/4 because they aren't uniform. Even if one music store tries to make them uniform, that isn't universal.

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:30 am

TubaTinker wrote:This topic has been around the block more than a few times. I still think tubas should be classified by key as to how much beer the open bugle will hold. Can't get no easier than that!

I absolutely support Dan's proposal. Surely measuring by key and total beer volume is the absolute best approach for our instruments.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:25 pm

Just where is that picture of the guy looking up and grinning at his tuba full of beer?

Little known fact: on a BBb, the true purpose of the 5th valve is as a tap to the keg...

BriceT · Post by **BriceT** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:04 pm

interesting thinking!

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:25 pm

so what would that make a 3/4 size Eb or F? A zero?

MA

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:04 pm

What about percentages? Then every athletic coach could demand 110% effort on a 110% tuba!