What solos/concertos/books/.... to get?

Richard Murrow · Post by **Richard Murrow** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:54 pm

It seems to me that rather than getting random suggestions from well meaning people who will make generic suggestions based on the things that most people work on at some point in their development, that you would better serve your needs by getting a reputable teacher. Then, have said teacher evaluate your playing and suggest materials based on their experience from actually hearing you play. You may feel you don't need low register work for example, but an experienced teacher might disagree with that. No one here can make a REAL suggestion for YOU, unless they hear you play. We all need Arban, that NEVER ends. We all need Lip slur and flexibility exercises, that NEVER ends. There are, however, many more things that a teacher can help you with, but they must hear you first. Music is an aural art!

Biggs · Post by **Biggs** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:33 pm

I second the vote for Arban's (I have the tuba version, but if sight-transposition is not an issue they all are equally good). Though the price of one Arban book could easily get you 2 or 3 other renowned books, the value of Arban is the best. Arban works on every physical aspect of playing, and also includes an extensive section of melodies and duets for true 'music-making.' The exercises can be used as warm-ups, sight reading (the length of the book means the material almost never gets old), even ready-made solos and characteristic studies for juries or other performance situations.

My biggest complaint with some popular tuba etude books (i.e. Blazhevich*) is that they were written specifically for the tuba. The Arban's exercises were originally for the cornet a pistons, so the book demands that tubists develop the agility and flexibility expected of a trumpet. Many of the melodies are arias and other vocal selections, so they require the same variety of colors a singer would use.

You will never, ever, under any circumstances outgrow Arban. That includes the first few pages of footballs.

*FWIW, I enjoy hearing and playing Blazhevich etudes for the purpose of developing an idiomatic tuba sound or a situation where I need to demonstrate I can toot the notes in time (chair placement auditions, etc.). I just don't feel Blazhevich has the "cross-over appeal" of Arban, Kopprasch, et al. I would not recommend players of instruments other than the tuba study Blazhevich.

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:00 pm

Not sure when the was last updated, but Dave Zerkel has a nice list of standard rep. etc.:

http://dzerkel.myweb.uga.edu/resources/ ... culum.html

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:39 pm

I would seriously take The Elephant up on his offer.

All the books in the world won't help you if you don't have a real horn to play on. (Add I don't mean a cimbass / contrabass trombone / ...)

Tubaguy56 · Post by **Tubaguy56** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:35 pm

Brass Gym and Breathing Gym

Breathing gym because it's awesome

Brass gym because it has exercises taken from many different places forming a well balanced workout for most tuba players.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:23 am

Bobster,

I've got the Arban's written for CC tuba in mint condition that I am not using. Retails for about $57. PM with an offer if interested.

http://www.encoremupub.com/Tuba/9125.htm

Eric "who has the tpt and tbn book also" L.