Tenor tuba users

[opie]

I am considering the purchase of a tenor tuba. Is there anyone who has experience with one of these?
Are there any recordings available that really demonstrate the capabilities of this instrument?
Thanks for any help in this matter.

Opie

[Tom]

Not too many choices if you want a true tenor tuba (vs. a euphonium).

The only offerings I'm aware of are from Miraphone, Meinl Weston or Alexander (makes the legendary model 151).

I've only ever tried an Alexander. They are very cool instruments and are lots of fun to play, but in reality very few people can justify the expense.

As for recordings, you're most likely to find it on recordings of Bydlo, possibly Heldenleben and the like. I can't think of anything off hand that uses this.

[Allen]

What is the difference between a tenor tuba and a euphonium? Is it just a C instrument versus a Bb instrument?

Allen
(thinking perhaps we should refer to flügelhorns as soprano tubas)

[opie]

I'm aware of some of the orchestral literature written for the tenor tuba but it would not be used for that.
It would mostly be used for projects written for flute and tuba/euphonium/tenor tuba. I'm looking more for its capabilities or limitations in a small ensemble type setting if anyone has any experience with this.

[Rick Denney]

What is the difference between a tenor tuba and a euphonium? Is it just a C instrument versus a Bb instrument?

Allen
(thinking perhaps we should refer to flügelhorns as soprano tubas)

If you are thinking of an Alex 151, it is pitched in Bb, and it is no more different from a modern euphonium than a Besson 981 Eb tuba is from, say, a Willson 3400 Eb tuba.

If we used the term "tenor tuba" to described instruments of tuba shape pitched in Bb, then euphoniums, American-style baritones, and instruments like the Alex would all fit comfortably under that term. But many use it to describe only instruments like the Alex 151. Euphonium players seem to be happy to narrow their categories far more than tuba players.

And the only recording where I know that an Alex 151 was used was Gene Pokorny's Orchestral Excerpts recording on Summit. As I recall, he recorded the Bydlo (beautifully) using that instrument. But when the CSO performs the Mussorgsky, they hire a euphoniumist to play that solo.

Rick "thinking the difference between band, orchestra, and brass band sound concepts as expressed by performers overwhelm any differences in the instruments themselves" Denney

[toobagrowl]

This may ruffle some eupher feathers, but......
I prefer the sound of tenor tubas and baritone horns over euphoniums. Tenor tubas and baritones have a huskier, clearer, more 'tuba' type of sound. Euphoniums have an 'oatmeal' sound. I dunno WHY, but I always think of oatmeal when I hear euphs.

[averagejoe]

They call it a euphonium, but I don't think anyone would argue with you if you called it a tenor tuba...
http://www.cerveny.biz/bariton/cep_534_4m.php" target="_blank

[Z-Tuba Dude]

How about one of these?