On playing BBb

[knarfman]

The final argument for adopting BBb instead of CC: the fundamental pitch of the universe is Bb:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/sc ... olesounds/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

The universe uses long tones too. The black hole's been playing that Bb for 2.5 billion years!

[toobagrowl]

Most so-called "intermediate" 4/4 size 4v BBb tubas play better in tune than do most so-called "professional" 4/4 - 5/4 size 5v CC tubas. I agree that CC tubas tend to project just a bit louder, with more 'punch' than comparable BBb tubas. This gives the impression of a "brighter" sound, even if the CC actually has more weight/fundamental in the sound. But in general, BBb tubas - to me - offer an overall smoother sound and better 'legato' playing to comparable CC tubas.
You can compare them with peanut butter.....

CC tubas: chunky peanut butter; BBb tubas: smooth peanut butter.

[Michael Bush]

Most so-called "intermediate" 4/4 size 4v BBb tubas play better in tune than do most so-called "professional" 4/4 - 5/4 size 5v CC tubas. I agree that CC tubas tend to project just a bit louder, with more 'punch' than comparable BBb tubas. This gives the impression of a "brighter" sound, even if the CC actually has more weight/fundamental in the sound. But in general, BBb tubas - to me - offer an overall smoother sound and better 'legato' playing to comparable CC tubas.
You can compare them with peanut butter.....

CC tubas: chunky peanut butter; BBb tubas: smooth peanut butter.

Since bloke performed the miracle of raising this three hour old thread from the dead, I (who spent my first couple of years on here advocating for BBb tubas but now own nothing but a CC and two Fs) will say that I will no doubt go back to BBb sometime, but for the opposite of these reasons. I find smooth legato playing much easier on CC and F. The thing I love about BBb is the chunky, pesante, growling seriousness of it.

[MartyNeilan]

The final argument for adopting BBb instead of CC: the fundamental pitch of the universe is Bb:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/sc ... olesounds/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Alligators like it, too.
http://m.upi.com/story/UPI-16101181327395/

[tofu]

[Michael Bush]

be it known, bad boys...

Boast your BBb belongings or bemoanings, but I - being the beast with the best - boast bling beguilingly.

Holton BB-345.jpg

~~~ Baltone CCb tuba - product of India ~~~

That is a magnificent looking tuba.

[Steve Marcus]

be it known, bad boys...

Boast your BBb belongings or bemoanings, but I - being the beast with the best - boast bling beguilingly.

O Hail to Thee and blast upon thy bodacious body of beautiful brass* with its bounteous bell.

Sorry, bloke, I was referring to the horn in all sincerity, not necessarily its owner...

*OK, the satin silver is splendiferous [while we're adhering to alliteration]

[Jay Bertolet]

From Wind and Song, Jake auditioned for Curtis on an Eb with the fourth valve strapped down.

Could you imagine that happening today? What do you think would happen if a student came in with a junk horn with a valve strapped down?

Funny story, that. I once played an audition for the Pittsburgh Symphony (back when Sumner Erickson won the spot). The excerpt from Benvenuto Cellini was on the list and I had the choice of playing it on:

1) A school owned MW 5rv F tuba that I absolutely hated. The valves stuck all the time, it had horrible intonation, and I had personally fought with that tuba for many months prior.

2) My own 3v top-action American Standard Eb tuba. I acquired the horn when I was in high school, while on a tour of the upper peninsula of Michigan. It was in the storage area of an old high school auditorium that was about to be torn down. The band director said we could have anything in there and I found this tuba. Half the braces were missing, as were all of the finger buttons. I brought the horn home and my mother thought it was not a playable horn so when she was decorating the house for my graduation party she spray painted it with gold paint, stuffed some flowers in the bell, and wired it to a tree in the backyard.

I brought both horns with me to the audition, thinking I would play both the morning of the audition and use the one I felt best on. You should have seen the face on the proctor when I carried that Eb on stage. Priceless.

[iiipopes]

The final argument for adopting BBb instead of CC: the fundamental pitch of the universe is Bb:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/sc ... olesounds/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Alligators like it, too.
http://m.upi.com/story/UPI-16101181327395/

There you have it: Bb it is; from here to eternity.

[Steve Marcus]

There you have it: Bb it is; from here to eternity.

That's even the key in which Sinatra sang "From Here to Eternity!"

[bort]

How did Bb become the starting point anyway? Part of my appeal for CC tuba is that it starts with no flats or sharps. It's like counting from zero or beginning from the starting line. Playing BBb always feels like counting from -2, or lining up a step behind the starting line. Of course, that also comes from having 3 years of playing on BBb tubas, and 14 on CC tubas.

I know, it doesn't really matter. But come on, I'm a tuba player, don't make me think...

[iiipopes]

How did Bb become the starting point anyway?

Adolphe Sax

[David Richoux]

The final argument for adopting BBb instead of CC: the fundamental pitch of the universe is Bb:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/sc ... olesounds/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Alligators like it, too.
http://m.upi.com/story/UPI-16101181327395/

There you have it: Bb it is; from here to eternity.

Way back in the late 1970s or early 1980s there was an international Eb "Hum" that went on for 24 hours - supposedly to resonate with the pitch of the rumble our earth puts out. We gathered several dozen musicians in the San Jose CA area to play for a few hours in the key of Eb when our time on the wheel came around. This was well before Teh Internets were popular, so I have no idea if anybody else actually participated in this silly thing, but we had some fun with it.

On a slightly similar pitch - one of my bands participated in several of the the Sausalito "Humming Toad Fish Festival"

[Jess Haney]

want

[J.c. Sherman]

I'm in the process of saving up for a new BAT for myself. I'm giving myself plenty of time to find what I really want.

So I sold my main CC, and have been playing all my "big stuff" on my Alexander-ized YBB-641. I'll tell you, there is some stuff that a BBb makes wonderful, makes more full with less effort, and it works great for orchestra. Truly, the other Bb and F instruments are easy to tune to, and there are myriad other benefits.

Except that damn Ride! Just so much easier on a 5v CC!

Selling this BBb is slated as the last step before BAT acquisition... but that's going to be hard to do!

[J.c. Sherman]

I like it... Tuba in H!

(Actually, French Tubas had a "Transpositeur" valve for B natural!)

J.c.S.

[Tubajug]

So yes I have a BBb tuba and mouthpiece for just teaching lessons, have any other teachers out there noticed the same thing?

I had a CC in college, but now that I'm a public school teacher, BBb is much easier. I can read all the bass clef stuff, I use the "C" fingerings and read along with trumpets and clarinets, and do the whole "pretend it's in bass clef" to play along with the alto saxes and it works great. The funny thing is when I try to play something reading flute music. I know treble clef (I play piano) but for some reason trying to play just the plain ol' concert pitch, but in treble clef, messes with my head more than anything.

So yes, BBb in teaching is the way to go for me! I think I'd still like to go back to CC someday, with a Conn 2 or 3J or something small like that. I really did enjoy playing CC.

[eupher61]

Actually Jc, I find The Ride a lot easier on BBb. Playing some trombone with the 3rd valve slide makes the 4th totally unnecessary. No comparison to a CC in my book...BBb all the way for The Ring.

[Jess Haney]

I play an Eb in my lessons. It is small and has a compact sound that my younger students on 3/4s can grasp quickly. It also has great clarity and definition that works for my older student to try to achieve on his Yamaha 321. Its also lighter, smaller, and better for tight basement spaces. I bring my BBb when working with students on broad, dark tone for the heavy hitters, but for the most part I can move around with less effort on Eb, which allows me to simultaneously listen to my student at the same time. Eb makes more sense to me but I explain right away to students not to watch my hands.

[eupher61]

I must be a freak, because I have no problem teaching BBb while playing on anything else. Or teaching trombone while playing Eb. I like not having matching fingerings, especially for younger students.

I used to play trumpet music on an alto sax, though. I never thought about it, just did it. But, Bb transposed music on F or Eb tuba does cause me a bit of trouble for some reason.