As we go higher on a tuba the thing mellows out and the sound loses any "edge" to it. I get impatient soloing in high range and love to get back down low where blats are an option.
Listeners tell me the tuba high range sounds like a french horn. They say they like it. I've made worse sounds and I like french horn but not in a jazz or rock context.
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How often do YOU play solos?
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tubatooter1940
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- iiipopes
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Last season in community band there was the few measures in the middle of the Camphouse Whatsoever Things that another guy in section played. It was alright on BBb, but it would have set a lot better on an F. The year before that, there was a section of a few measures of a tuba duet on an theme and variations arrangement of the Schumann Happy Farmer that was fun to play with some good chromaticism. So each season or every other season there are a few measures here and there. And that's just fine with me. If I wanted to really be a soloist, I would have stayed in the upper brass instead of choosing to be a denizen of the trenches.
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- sloan
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Count your blessings.iiipopes wrote:Last season in community band there was the few measures in the middle of the Camphouse Whatsoever Things
Let's see - last summer in Community Band the tubas had the "If I only had a Brain" section of The Wizard of Oz medley.
A "solo" mouthpiece would have been contra-indicated...
Kenneth Sloan
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That is one thing playing in an orchestra, the tuba more often gets solos. I did Mahler Symphony No.5 last week and that has eight real tuba solos (of a couple measures each).sloan wrote:Count your blessings.iiipopes wrote:Last season in community band there was the few measures in the middle of the Camphouse Whatsoever Things
Let's see - last summer in Community Band the tubas had the "If I only had a Brain" section of The Wizard of Oz medley.
A "solo" mouthpiece would have been contra-indicated...
- windshieldbug
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eupher61
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Well, solos in a recital format sense...rarely anymore.
Solos in a jazz sense, frequently.
Dedicated mpc each for F and BBb. No matter what setting the F is used in, it has the same mouthpiece in it, unless I'm outside in the cold (Astro nylon) or leave the f'n mouthpiece at home (whatever I have in the car or the case!!!) The BBb won't be used for anything but jazz/ethnic settings.
Solos in a jazz sense, frequently.
Dedicated mpc each for F and BBb. No matter what setting the F is used in, it has the same mouthpiece in it, unless I'm outside in the cold (Astro nylon) or leave the f'n mouthpiece at home (whatever I have in the car or the case!!!) The BBb won't be used for anything but jazz/ethnic settings.
- andrew the tuba player
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Re: How often do YOU play solos?
TexTuba[/quote]We are NOT tuba players. That is just our selected medium for music making.
[/quote]
or, how about, we are tuba players. People just dont see the beauty in melodic tubas as much as they should.
and, i almost had If i only had a brain as a solo twice...but ,my band director decided that our trumpets were haveing to much trouble on there part
. I liked that solo 
[/quote]
or, how about, we are tuba players. People just dont see the beauty in melodic tubas as much as they should.
and, i almost had If i only had a brain as a solo twice...but ,my band director decided that our trumpets were haveing to much trouble on there part
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1965 Conn 20J
Olds fiberglass Sousaphone Project- for sale
Epiphone Thunderbird Bass Guitar
Cremona 3/4 upright bass