Advice request on instrument selection

[michaeld]

Hello,
This is the first posting from a young player based in the UK.Associated Board Grade 6 standard age 11,currently playing a Besson Sovereign Eb. Has an option to change instrument was thinking is this a good time to change to a small cc rotary valve model to pursue and develop playing.Have tried out the cc instruments and like the feel being a smaller person at the moment,but wondered if this would be beneficial for the future???
thanks in advance

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Just an opinion, but I don't think this is a good time to consider a change. The Besson is a fine instrument and I don't see the need to change to a C tuba at this point, particularly considering the country.

There is nothing a player can do on a C that can't be done on a good quality Eb. Spend the time that would have been used learning a new key getting really good on the current horn. There's plenty of time ahead to explore the other keys of tubas.

[AndyCat]

Stick with the EEb for now, and possibly ever, in the UK. Add maybe, but don't replace!

[imperialbari]

With the dedication and level displayed directly or indirectly in the above posting my main point of view would be that no quality tuba will hold this player back no matter what pitch it might be in.

The considerations would be these:

Is the current focus on solo or orchestral repertory? I would assume solo, which would point towards the Eb.

If orchestral playing is part of the current game, does it then happen in a very large orchestra with heavy brasses and a lot of string basses in 3/4 or larger size? I would doubt that. And when an Eb tuba can be employed by the very large BBC orchestra on The last Night of the Proms, then a good Eb would do also in more junior environments.

If some of the playing happens in brass bands, then the more soloistic tuba parts are written for the Eb tuba.

As I own and play basses in F, Eb, CC, and BBb, my instrumental biases would be fairly even. My thinking more is the one of a teacher, who would lay out plans for the optimal development of an after all very young student.

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre

[jonesbrass]

Stick with your EEb, master it. If you take the time to do this, playing any other pitched tuba will be much, much easier when the time comes to add it/them to your arsenal.

[Wyvern]

There are more playing opportunities for playing Eb in the UK. If you change to CC now, you will not have the option of playing with one of the many good brass bands. So I suggest you stay with your Sovereign Eb unless you are unsatisfied, even though I personally particularly like CC tubas and rotary valves.

A small CC will have little advantage playing wise over the Eb. When you have grown up, if you then have the need ADD a large (5/4, or 6/4) CC to compliment the Eb.

Good luck!

[TubaRay]

ASIDE:

I really like the avatar, Klaus.

This post is not meant to be political.

[imperialbari]

Wow, I thought it was a cute pic of Tina Fey...

Ken F.

Yes, Tina Fey is the real thing! Sad about her impostor rallying all over the country. Even the phone call from the French president was misdirected to the fake.

Klaus