Playing pop, rock and blues with a C instrument

[vintage7512]

I stirred the pot and expected to be chastised. Thick skin is required here on tubenet! I am sorry if I offended anyone, or if anyone was offended on my behalf. Just trying to get some ideas, and, as always, got more than I bargained for. Hows about a yes or no - do you prefer C instruments for rock, pop, and blues, or not? That was all I really wanted to find out, though the deluge of comments has me properly humbled (and practicing more).

[Mike Finn]

...do you prefer C instruments for rock, pop, and blues, or not? ...

Nope. I played CC (and F) in college, and after a brief romance with Eb tubas I'm not ashamed to admit I'm back to BBb exclusively. I just find it easier to keep it straight when switching between tuba, euph, and trombone to have the same home key. I think that the time spent acclimating to another key instrument (especially when talking about improvising, whether bass lines or solos) would be about equal to or even greater than the amount of time necessary to conquer the "unfriendly" keys on the instrument you already own and are familiar with.

[Bob Kolada]

Hows about a yes or no - do you prefer C instruments for rock, pop, and blues, or not?

Snot no. I always play a Bb instrument when I play that kind of music (rock band- tenor or bass trombone). I could play Eb on it as well, but I don't think the group and what kind of instrument my Eb (tuba) is would sync up too well, at least with the other members....

[imperialbari]

Vintage, it sounds like you have made a decision and are now seeking validation. Is this the case?

No one here who is looking out for your best interests is going to tell you to buy a CC tuba so that you can play "more easily" in certain keys. We are trying to help you.

You have gotten your answers from several here, more than once. If you *want* a CC then buy one. There is nothing wrong with that at all.

But you do not, in any way, need one for what you are doing.

Come on, man. Listen to what we are trying to tell you...

And that truth isn’t even trunkated.

K

[vintage7512]

Elephant,
I just wanted opinions, including, but not limited to, yours. Do I have to please whatever part of YOU needs validating. At the risk of sounding Pollyanna, thanks for the critical comments and need for certitude about me. Yes, I am NOT a professional, and yes, I would LOVE to have your skills, and NO, I do not at this time find E the same as Eb, and YES I will stop posting here if it will make you happy, and NO, I do not have the time or youth to get as good as I would like. I was just after information, and many of the posts here have given me that, and some of them without the rancor. I will not be buying a CC anytime soon, but will be working on the key of E and see if you're right - that it can be just the same as the flat keys I am already comfortable with. Satisfied?

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Steve,

Man, you are a crybaby. Is your first name really James, by any chance?

You have received very well-thought-out answers from several members of this community who have the experience to know what they are talking about. Yet you have continued to complain about those answers and insult those posters by asking for feedback from other "rock/jazz" players who improvise more.

I'm your guy. I'm one of the last surviving jazz tuba improvisers on the planet. I play on a Miraphone C tuba because it's what I have available to me. But I can also play "Pensativa" and the second phrase of "Joyspring" just fine in Gb (which would be the same as your Bb tuba in the key of E).

For the umpteenth time, changing the key of your tuba is NOT the answer. Becoming more proficient in the "trouble keys" (that each key of tuba will always have) is. And there really is no reason for a statement like:

No matter how much I practice, E will never be as good a key as, say, Eb, for a BBb or Bb instrument, just because of the fingerings.

Bull butter. If that is your attitude, you really may as well quit now.

[vintage7512]

Todd,
Have you read the posts? I have agreed with the elephant on all of his points. What more do you or he need from me, or should I have never asked in the first place. By the way - 'cry baby' was insulting. I guess I may have overstayed my welcome.
Steve (not John, whoever that is) Williams