I can name that tune in...

[sloan]

I just wandered into the other room and walked in on a trumpet concerto playing on the radio. It struck me that I could name that concerto in 3 notes (actually, now that I think about it, I could probably have named it in ONE note - and now, I'm guessing that some of you can name it in ZERO notes; it helps if you only know one trumpet concerto).

This raises the question: how many pieces are there in the tuba/euph literature that you could identify from a very short snippet and how short can that snippet be?

One immediately comes to mind that is instantly identifiable after 5 notes.

Let the contest begin: your entry should be the name of the piece, and the number of notes necessary to identify it. Three categories: A) the notes must be the first notes played by the featured soloist, and B) the notes can be from any part of the solo part, C) it's a band/orchestra piece that doesn't really have a soloist - but prominently features a tuba/euph (my 5-note example fits here).

Hmmm...a 2-noter just lept to mind. That might be hard to beat.

[The Jackson]

I'd bet the "Bear" tuba solo in Petrouchka could be indentifiable on its first Ab!

The first two notes the brass plays at the beginning of the 4th movement of Shostakovich 5 (A - D) also comes to mind.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

The first two notes the brass plays at the beginning of the 4th movement of Shostakovich 5 (A - D) also comes to mind.

You'd have a difficult time distinguishing those two notes from the first two notes of the brass in Wagner's Flying Dutchman overture.

I'll play...two notes for the Hindemith Sonata. I doubt there's another tuba solo that starts with a major 9th. Was that the two-noter you thought of as well, Ken?

Oh, yeah...it probably goes without saying, but I'll also bet you heard the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. Do-re-mi...you have to love the classics.

[tubatom91]

Silvester Revueltas' Sensamaya, I can pick it out as soon as the bassoons come in about 3-4 measures in. Then of course the tuba solo gives it away .
I pick out Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4 Finale out in the first measure. (gotta love it) [CSO+Fritz Reiner....o yes].

[THE TUBA]

I'll play...two notes for the Hindemith Sonata. I doubt there's another tuba solo that starts with a major 9th. Was that the two-noter you thought of as well, Ken?

The Sparke Tuba Concerto opens with a major 9th, but I doubt anyone can confuse his style with Hindemith's.

Another easy two note identification is Consequences by Mike Forbes

[Kory101]

The brass choral in Mahler 2 in one note

[tubaben]

Encounters II in one note.

Although three would make it really easy.

roooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOGGGER BO! BO!

[Kory101]

Opening of Mahler 3 in two notes

Opening of Mahler 5 in one note

[pierso20]

Noone mentioned....the Hindemith Sonata Less than one note probably.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Noone mentioned....the Hindemith Sonata Less than one note probably.

I'll play...two notes for the Hindemith Sonata. I doubt there's another tuba solo that starts with a major 9th. Was that the two-noter you thought of as well, Ken?

I weep for our future...

[The Jackson]

The first two notes the brass plays at the beginning of the 4th movement of Shostakovich 5 (A - D) also comes to mind.

You'd have a difficult time distinguishing those two notes from the first two notes of the brass in Wagner's Flying Dutchman overture.

I haven't taken a close look at scores for either of these pieces, but I have heard a couple of recordings of both and both times the Shostakovich sounds much more "gut-wrenching" because it includes all the brass (I think) while the Wagner just has the horns (I think?).


Fun stuff: See how many pieces you can recognize in this

[pierso20]

Noone mentioned....the Hindemith Sonata Less than one note probably.

I'll play...two notes for the Hindemith Sonata. I doubt there's another tuba solo that starts with a major 9th. Was that the two-noter you thought of as well, Ken?

I weep for our future...

AHHH!!! Sorry... I scanned the posts in an effort to make sure, but I must not have gotten far into yours.....

SORRY!

I still think less than one note. Just the note, attack, and desired resonance (of course, pending a decent/good performance) will lead me to knowing this.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Not a big deal, Brooke...I was trying to make a (very) little joke.

I still think less than one note. Just the note, attack, and desired resonance (of course, pending a decent/good performance) will lead me to knowing this.

Now I'm curious, though. How is hearing one note "less than one note"???

[pierso20]

Not a big deal, Brooke...I was trying to make a (very) little joke.

I still think less than one note. Just the note, attack, and desired resonance (of course, pending a decent/good performance) will lead me to knowing this.

Now I'm curious, though. How is hearing one note "less than one note"???

Well....NOW I have to give an answer right?

I guess if you think of "note" in terms of the entire note then my logic would apply. That the Bb, the attack and breath used to begin the note would be mostly enough to know the piece. Now, if just the attack would be considered a note, then you can't really have less than a note without not having a note.....maybe makes sense?

BUT this is all in fun jest. Realistically, you'd probably need about a full beat or two to really truly know for 100% that a piece of music is indeed what you surmise it would be.

(and I enjoy very little jokes. I fear that most people don't get my jokes....due to the dryness and.... fact that tone of voice is VERY difficult to distinguish when there is no voice involved....)

[THE TUBA]

Not a big deal, Brooke...I was trying to make a (very) little joke.

I still think less than one note. Just the note, attack, and desired resonance (of course, pending a decent/good performance) will lead me to knowing this.

Now I'm curious, though. How is hearing one note "less than one note"???

...because the first note of the Hindemith is only a half note. Nailed it!

[TubaRay]

...because the first note of the Hindemith is only a half note. Nailed it!

LOL! Of course!

[pierso20]

...because the first note of the Hindemith is only a half note. Nailed it!

LOL! Of course!

HAHA! And you have helped me with my logic!

[1895King]

Two notes: Variations on the Theme of Judas Maccabeus; Solo Pomposo, Beelzebub.

[tubashaman2]

.

[dfear]

March from Second Suite in F-Gustav Holst. Two notes.

AKA: "Gonna Foul It Up!"