Question for Community Players

[sloan]

I think it is generally accepted that "an excess of tubas" means "twice as many as I own".

[ScottM]

I play a PT-20 currently in the community band. I think it sounds good and do get some compliments, including from the conductor. I played a Mirafone 184 for years and really liked it but wanted a bigger sound so got the PT used. It had been barely played so was like new. I still use the Mirafone for quintet or solos. Both are CC's. I just bought a Conn 14J eflat as I wanted to try to learn that horn. I could get by with either CC tuba but it is nice to match the tool to the job.
ScottM

[gillish]

I don't play classical, I play Balkan, New Orleans jazz, and Klezmer, so I have two horns for different jobs. I have my sousaphone (which I use for most gigs) and a concert tuba for the rare gigs where bass-in-your-face is not desired.

[chronolith]

Perhaps the thread should split off into the various community group types (band, orchestra, etc).

Given that I would suggest that the less tuba players you have in your group, the more options you are likely to need.

[sloan]

Perhaps the thread should split off into the various community group types (band, orchestra, etc).

Given that I would suggest that the less tuba players you have in your group, the more options you are likely to need.

Not necessarily. In some contexts, having more tuba players opens up the possibility for someone (usually the one who owns one...) to add a different voice.

The classic situation might be a community band blessed with 3 or more tubas. Of course, each of them will have a contra-bass (BBb or CC) - but once you get to three (perhaps 2 in a high quality group) there's the opportunity to add an Eb (maybe F) to the mix. Whenever I have done this, the conductor smiles and is pleased to have the variety.

Now, I think what you meant was: if you play in a lot of groups and are the only one there, you have a clear need to own a stable of horns. I'm suggesting that variations of this can pop up, even when most (but not all?) of the groups you play with have more than enough tubas.

Personally - I find myself using a modern 4/4 BBb as my "standard" tuba, a 6/4 BBb (of "historical interest") at outdoor July 4-type events, and (when my Eb chops are up to speed) an American Classic Eb in a group that typically has 4-5 tubas present - or, in a smaller group with 2 tubas where 1 contra bass would be sufficient. And then, of course, there's the antique Eb helicon that's just perfect for college alumni gigs ("look at the old dude with the weird horn") - it's also perfect for my annual ice skating band appearance (what does everyone else use for ice skating band performances?).

There - I've justified *almost* all of the tubas cluttering my basement. Oh yeah - the little jewel of a 3/4 BBb tuba I'm saving for my feeble old age. I don't use it much now, but the Conn 36J is getting heavier and heavier.

Historical note: when Donald Stauffer was directing the local community band, a newbie with $$ to spend (not me) asked him to recommend a tuba. He recommended an EEb (and, not a small, light one either - perhaps the heaviest dump truck of an Eb every made). It worked out great when we had 3 tubas in that group. I'll venture a guess that for *most* tuba players, the Eb would be at least their second instrument.

[opus37]

We have two tubas in our community band of 40 players. One plays BBb and the other Eb. It works out fine and the director likes it when one plays high and the other lower.

[chronolith]

Yes, agreed.

By options I meant personal options to the individual player. When I was in a large band here in Chicago, I played my big horn 100% of the time to contrast the small and medium horns already in the section. It worked well, and if that was the only group I was in, it would have been the one horn I needed. Now I am the other extreme. One individual playing in a number of groups in which I am the one tuba player.

[Wyvern]

I'll venture a guess that for *most* tuba players, the Eb would be at least their second instrument.

In UK an Eb is most tuba players first instrument - usually a 3+1 compensated with 19" bell. Interesting the different perception of the bass tuba either sides of the pond!

[TubaSteve]

Well;
In the last week, I have performed with 3 different horns, and loaned one other out for a parade I was in. I have found that for much of my playing, the Reynolds recording bass has been a wonderful horn for me. I played both of my BBb Reynolds tonight, but find that the older horn just has a better color than the newer one. I played one of my Sousaphone's last night as it has beautiful sound and I mount the American Flag and the 5 service flags on the bell for a little color. (Have been doing it for years). For inside where I want an upright bell, I play my Meinl Weston 25. I am trying to figure out where I want to play my new Holton that Lee Stofer is working on.

Steve

[Bandmaster]

Well, in one of the community bands I play in, a really good band I might add, we have, at last count, seven tuba players. Myself on my Holton 345 BBb, a Yamaha F tuba, a Yamaha EEb, an M&M 5/4 CC, one of the new Kanstul EEb, and two Miraphone 186 BBb tubas. Plus the band director plays on a Besson 983 EEb once in a while and the assistant director plays on a Chinese clone of a Miraphone 191 BBb when he sits in. We are NOT a tuba "challenged" band by any means...