How Long?

Richardrichard9 · Post by **Richardrichard9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:05 pm

About how long does it take a highschool musician to learn the First Movement of the Vaughan Williams Concerto?

What Key instrument would be best for this piece?

Richardrichard9 · Post by **Richardrichard9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:04 pm

Ok, Well I am learning a piece for a NYSSMA festival. One of my teacher's suggested that I learn the V.W. instead, and I have until June. I am playing a CC and BBb right now, but am considering getting an Eb soon.

My high range on the CC is about up to a high F-clearly.

Richardrichard9 · Post by **Richardrichard9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:19 pm

Well the other piece I have began is the Walter Ross Tuba Concerto. I don't really mind it, but I think I would enjoy the V.W. More.

The Jackson · Post by **The Jackson** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:29 pm

I'm thinking of doing the first movement of the VW, too, but I have much more time (from about a week from now to next Feburary). I only have access to BBb horns, but most of those have a pretty sweet and solid high range.

I think you can do it if you work really hard until the performance. If you want to do it on a different horn, though, you should decide that soon.

a2ba4u · Post by **a2ba4u** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:20 pm

The first movement can be "learned" in about 2-3 weeks of diligent practice; however, you will spend the rest of your tuba-playing life trying to make it perfect.

If you are going to have to burn on it in June, I'd say you better dig in with whatever equipment you have...yesterday.

Kyle

hurricane_harry · Post by **hurricane_harry** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:22 pm

I wish I had that high F when I was in high school. Good luck on the VW Concerto good piece to keep in your rep, very popular audition solo

Richardrichard9 · Post by **Richardrichard9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:32 pm

Lol, well I didn't really know I had the high F until I had a lesson with Dave Unland

... Just last month..

Richardrichard9 · Post by **Richardrichard9** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:39 pm

Hey also does anyone happen to have the NYSSMA manual and would be able to tell me if it is just the 1st movement that is required for NYSSMA solo fest?

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:14 am

Richardrichard9 wrote:Lol, well I didn't really know I had the high F until I had a lesson with Dave Unland ... Just last month..

Well then, my guess is you probably "had" that high F before that, you just didn't know it. You have the physical ability to play most of the first movement, but probably not the cadenza. Keep in mind also that this movement hangs out in the d-e range a lot during the middle.

Another important thing to remember is that the R.V.W. concerto is not challenging simply because of high notes. Whatever movement you choose to play, it is an endurance and technique challenge. You have to make sure that you can get through it several times with ease before you attempt to perform it.

I performed the second movement on a BBb miraphone 186 when I was a senior in high school. I didn't do it well, but I did it. (also make sure you have a GOOD piano player nailed down. The piano part is very tricky as well. Above all your accompanist must have impeccable time.)

I played the first two movements again in a recital also on (a much crappier) BBb. It went slightly better that time. I played the same two movements with concert band accompaniment on CC and it went the best it could have at that particular time. This piece takes an incredible amount of time to prepare properly.

Can you play this piece? Probably. Should you, and really do you even want to? Ultimately, only you and your teacher can make that decision.

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:48 am

Try the Gregson 1st mvmt first.My opinion...

tubafatness · Post by **tubafatness** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:14 am

Richardrichard9 wrote:About how long does it take a highschool musician to learn the First Movement of the Vaughan Williams Concerto?

What Key instrument would be best for this piece?

It may have been said before, but it depends on how much work said tubist is willing to put into learning the piece. And it also depends on what is meant by "learn"-ing a piece. Shouldn't take too long, provided the piece is practiced carefully and properly. Getting it up to audition level playing, however, is another story...

Aaron, (someone who is perpetually dissatisfied with his own playing, so keep that in mind)

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:33 am

I was almost going to type my answer based soley on the subject line.

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:13 pm

I was almost going to type my answer based soley on the subject line.

Let's keep that whole can of worms closed. Just too tempting to even be fun. Way too many snappy entendres to count.

Chuck"admiring Marty's reticence"Jackson

Karl H. · Post by **Karl H.** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:56 pm

MartyNeilan wrote:I was almost going to type my answer based soley on the subject line.

"That's a rather personal question, sir!"

"You stupid git! I meant "how long have we been in the lifeboat"! Now you've spoiled the atmosphere! I'll start again.."

Karl "Still... no sign of land" Hovey

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