Bb Vs CC in orchestras

[jonesbrass]

You are a performance major, so should you learn CC tuba? Yes, it is a good experience. Brass quintet music, for the most part, seems to be written with the CC tuba in mind, and it is really good to know CC fingerings fluently. Does that mean that you should feel like you HAVE TO play CC tuba as your main instrument? Hardly. I'd strongly suggest, as you can get you hands on the different instruments, that you learn how to play tubas in all four keys. Learn treble clef, have at least a certain familiarity with tenor clef, and be prepared to double on another instrument (string bass, electric bass, euphonium, trombone are good options) if you really want to be able to make a living at this.

Great advice, Lee. Here's the BLUF, IMHO: it is important that you can play your a$$ off, it is not as important which tuba you are playing on, unless the guy/gal signing your paycheck tells you to play something specific.

[MartyNeilan]

F tubas are specially engineered to be bought prior to graduate school and then sold after one has dropped out of graduate school.

But then how would one play the Vaughan Williams for non-paying community band appearances?

[The Big Ben]

An old Holton, if it's one of the good ones, give them a run for their money in terms of playing, but certainly not in terms of construction quality or detailing. And maybe not in terms of intonation. Good old Holtons are not that easy to find.

It also seems that an old Holton needs a great mechanic to get it in proper shape. Many of them weren't put together well in the first place and, this many years down the road, may be pretty sad. With proper overhaul, a mediocre Honton can be made to play wonderfully. Unfortunately, a 'proper overhaul' by someone who knows what they are doing can be quite expensive.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

F tubas are specially engineered to be bought prior to graduate school and then sold after one has dropped out of graduate school.

But then how would one play the Vaughan Williams for non-paying community band appearances?

On a contrabass? *ducks*