German low brass- standards, blend,....

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:48 pm

Actually, Bob, I believe you have raised some very interesting questions. I don't actually know the answers, either. When I lived in Germany a good while back, I rarely saw Miraphone tubas. This came as a surprise to me.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:17 am

Bob I can only tell you what I have heard and seen from limited observation on holidays, so the below is not definitive and may be corrected by German TubeNeters which know better.

For many years the most common BBb was the Meinl-Weston 25, both in orchestras and bands. In orchestras, the vast majority of 25's played are gold brass, which apparently much enhances this model. The 25, and similar copies from smaller manufacturers are still the main BBb in bands, but the 195 Fafner has now become the most popular BBb in orchestras, with the Rudolf Meinl 5/4 Bayreuth also found a lot.

For F tuba - B&S PT-10 & PT-15 seem to be the most popular. The classic German F.

I have seen very few Miraphone being played in Germany - in fact Cerveny seem to be more common.

For tenor tubas - traditional rotary bariton seem to be the norm in German traditional wind bands, with piston euphonium more used in international symphonic winds ensembles.

Of course with so many manufacturers and such variety it is difficult to generalize - Germany, at least from a visitors angle appears a brass players paradise! One reason it is one of my favorite places for a holiday - I have been going there fairly regularly since I was 8

TexTuba · Post by **TexTuba** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:31 pm

Neptune wrote:I have seen very few Miraphone being played in Germany - in fact Cerveny seem to be more common.

So I know you have already made the disclaimer about all of this not being concrete, but why do you think that is about Miraphone? Are they more expensive over there compared to their other horn manufacturers? Or could it possibly be that they can get better horns for their money? I am in NO WAY dissing Miraphone. Hell, I own a 186 CC and LOVE it! I just find this quite interesting.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:39 pm

TexTuba wrote:
Neptune wrote:I have seen very few Miraphone being played in Germany - in fact Cerveny seem to be more common.
So I know you have already made the disclaimer about all of this not being concrete, but why do you think that is about Miraphone? Are they more expensive over there compared to their other horn manufacturers? Or could it possibly be that they can get better horns for their money? I am in NO WAY dissing Miraphone. Hell, I own a 186 CC and LOVE it! I just find this quite interesting.

My wife was in Germany a few years ago to visit relatives. She is originally from Frankfurt. I asked her to do a little "tuba research" while she was there. She approached several different tuba players in traditional German town bands and asked them what kind of tubas they played. Most believe it or not were playing Chinese tubas and the rest either Cerveny's or old MWs. She asked them why they didn't play Miraphones and everyone one of them told her you had to be rich to buy a Miraphone.

tuba kitchen · Post by **tuba kitchen** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:54 am

most things here are played on f. most of my colleagues play "biggish" b&s and melton f tubas, i've also seen some gronitz and rudis, rarely mirafones, though. a few people play c tubas, also from b&s and melton. c tuba was used more normally in former east germany.

german trombones have a darker sound, where the horns (99% alexander) have a brighter sound and sit way on the other side of the orchestra. when i asked the principal trombone in our orchestra why this was he replied: "it's better that way"....