Tuba--An "Endangered Species?"

[Steve Marcus]

From the April 2004 issue of Music Trades Magazine:

"Endangered Orchestral Instruments in England"

"London plans to launch a $2.2 million campaign to encourage British children to take up 'unfashionable' orchestral instruments, like the trombone and tuba. The charity Youth Music has declared double basses, bassoons, oboes, and most larger brass instruments 'endangered species' because children consider them 'uncool.' The campaign, to be launched by British Arts Minister Estelle Morris, will lead to subsidization of 1,500 new instruments for schools."

It would be very interesting to see the efforts and results of this campaign.

Sounds like a job for Ms. Brass Rap herself, Deanna Swoboda!

[WoodSheddin]

From the April 2004 issue of Music Trades Magazine:

"Endangered Orchestral Instruments in England"

"London plans to launch a $2.2 million campaign to encourage British children to take up 'unfashionable' orchestral instruments, like the trombone and tuba. The charity Youth Music has declared double basses, bassoons, oboes, and most larger brass instruments 'endangered species' because children consider them 'uncool.' The campaign, to be launched by British Arts Minister Estelle Morris, will lead to subsidization of 1,500 new instruments for schools."

It would be very interesting to see the efforts and results of this campaign.

Sounds like a job for Ms. Brass Rap herself, Deanna Swoboda!

The Sousaphone is definatelly underrepresented.

[imperialbari]

The Sousaphone is definatelly underrepresented.

Hardly among TubeNet thongists!

[CJ Krause]

***

[drandomtubas]

It's too popular in my school system ( according to my band teacher... heh ) There are three tubas... and there would be five if the school owned more than two. I think there are three 8th graders who play tuba- all girls. We actually need more flutes... technically speaking

[TubaRay]

I agree with Schleperello that instrumental music is not as popular in public schools(at least in Texas) as it used to be. I believe there are a number of reasons why this is true. Probably the two most significant are girls athletics and the effect modern society has had on the brain. By this, I mean that the typical modern kid is so accustomed to being entertained, and to having everything available with a remote control that he/she isn't interested in doing what it takes to learn a musical instrument. They will work at sports because sports are hyped across every square inch of this country. Don't get me wrong! I believe sports have a place in our schools, but our country has completely lost its perspective in this area. This has had a profound effect on school bands.

I would like to disagree on the point that the tuba is an easy instrument to learn. I believe it is more difficult to master. Indeed, there are some things I can play better on a trumpet than I can on a tuba. Mind you, I don't even practive playing trumpet. Now I must admit that when performing the typical parts one is assigned to play, playing the tuba part is fairly easily accomplished. Think about it. How many GOOD tuba players do you know. And how many have limited control of the instrument.

By the way, it's good to hear from our resident tuba guy in Amarillo. I enjoy your posts.

Best wishes.

[ThomasDodd]

By this, I mean that the typical modern kid is so accustomed to being entertained, and to having everything available with a remote control that he/she isn't interested in doing what it takes to learn a musical instrument.

For that matter, when do kids even see istruments palyed. Even in the 80's and 90's the metal bands had some influence. You would dream of being a rock star with and great solo at M.S.G. Where are the musicians today? Rap is mostly sampled music from days gone by. Other popular artists only sing, I doubt their fans could tell you who plays the instruments behind them.

They won't see brass instruments untill high school football games. They are not likely to try to start then. And what high school director wants a 9th grade beginner in the band? At that stage the players are supposed to know how to play. I've never seen a school system that has a beginners program for the high school grades.

I would like to disagree on the point that the tuba is an easy instrument to learn. I believe it is more difficult to master. Now I must admit that when performing the typical parts one is assigned to play, playing the tuba part is fairly easily accomplished.

I think tuba is like chess. Easy to learn, difficult to master. And tuba is easy to learn and become proficient enought to play 95% of the music seen in high school or college (for non music majors). You need what, a 1.5 octave range, and might play 1/8 notes at 100 bpm, but never more than 4 in a row. Maybe you get lucky, and get a dotted 1/8 + 1/16 rhythm. That makes it even more difficult to master. Other instruments at least get demanding material. That drives them to become better. With tuba, you have to drive youself and search for demanding music.

I've been playing for 18 years. I have trouble getting above the D on the staff. And never had parts above F on the staff. Ab below the staff is as low as the parts go. Fisrt time I saw tuba parts above the staff, was when I went looking for solo work to practice. Never seen it in my band folder. I am playing a fun piece in a comunity band now. One movement is mostl below low Bb. And another movement has string bass cues that are near the top of the staff.

-Thomas

[ThomasDodd]

Since we are already helping on this as teachers of beginners or others, where is our part of the 2.2 million?

On the other side of the Atlantic

[tjonp]

"London plans to launch a $2.2 million campaign to encourage British children to take up 'unfashionable' orchestral instruments, like the trombone and tuba.

What about the euphonium

[TubaRay]

Thomas said it well. Without the more demanding parts that many of the other instruments get, tuba players must drive themselves to be better. I know I always have.

[tjonp]

Unless something radical has happened, euph has never been a standard orchestral instrument. It's merely been included, or featured. Band is another story.

I know the original article was refering to orchestral instruments, but I was thinking more in general. Euphonium seems to be the most obsecure of the mainstream band or orchestral instruments. At least most laymen know what a tuba is.

[Steve Marcus]

I know the original article was refering to orchestral instruments, but I was thinking more in general. Euphonium seems to be the most obsecure of the mainstream band or orchestral instruments.

There was a solo competition a few years ago in the UK that refused to recognize euphonium as a viable instrument for entry in the competition. Thanks to efforts by Steven Mead and others, the euphonium was ultimately reinstated in the competition. If I'm not mistaken, the winner of the competition played...you guessed it!

Perhaps a TubeNet reader can fill in the details that my fuzzy mind can't remember.

[Biggs]

And another movement has string bass cues that are near the top of the staff.

Just so you know, string bass is the only transposing bass clef instrument. It plays one octave lower than what is written. So those cues that are near the top of the staff are actually one octave lower.[/quote]

[ThomasDodd]

And another movement has string bass cues that are near the top of the staff.

Just so you know, string bass is the only transposing bass clef instrument. It plays one octave lower than what is written. So those cues that are near the top of the staff are actually one octave lower.

My understanding is this arrangement has the cue notes dropped the octave already.
The euphoniums are playing the same line a lot of the time, but an octave higher that written on my part. We tried the S.B. line down from where written on the tuba part and it didn't feel right. Since you mentioned it, I'll check the score for the S.B. to be sure though.

-Thomas