POLL

[TubaZac2012]

I choose a 6/4 because I don't have a 7/4 and my 8/4 is currently ventilating my house.

Preach.

[eutubabone]

I am really tired of this poll concerning 6/4 tubas. What about a similar poll about the 5/4, and then another one about 4/4 tubas? Don't leave these tubas out, because they're important too, and the results of these polls would have great influence on future purchases for some folks.(Sorry, forgot about the 3/4, sorry, sorry)

[TubaSteve]

This poll must have been devised in the Soviet Union.

...or maybe by Henry Ford: "you can have any size tuba you want, as long as it's 6/4".

"On the more serious side, the 6/4 has a great harmonic complexity even in the PPP passages. And ... when you finally master blowing that piece of tubing, it is surprisingly responsive and nimble.

+1

Honestly, I think a 6/4 tuba does more damage visually than it does sonically.

P.S. - If you really want to scare the sh*t out of a conductor, show up with a recording bell 6/4 tuba; it's a lot of fun.

That's funny Bob! Just last week, I told our new director at our local community band where I have been playing my "5/4" Reynolds recording bell horn at that I have an even bigger horn on the way! (The 350 that Lee is working on). The look on her face was priceless! We had a talk, and she had never heard of the term "Recording Bass" before and on my first meeting with her, she called it a Sousaphone!



Steve

[Bacchanalia]

I'm overwhelmed by the ridiculous array of choices and just can't decide. Uhh...eenie, meenie, minee, MO! OK, I'm going with MO...as in MO Tuba ;0)

[Three Valves]

Exactly.

If a little is good, MO is better!!

[PaulMaybery]

A unique aspect of the BAT: Once playing softly and 'controlling the breath" is accomplished (to a very fine and 'efficient' level) the BAT is to a degree much more efficient than smaller, say 4/4, tubas. It blows very openly and actually takes much less effort to project and fill the space. Plus an added advantage is that the pianissimos are to die for.

The trick for BAT newbies is finding the time and 'wherewithal' to really get into playing the instrument artistically. We joke about it being a cannon or volcano, which it can be when needed. But if we are going to use it as our main tuba, then it needs to be flexible. It really does not need to be pushed strenuously at all. Just give it a good steady stream of wind and buzz, and surprisingly it takes over.

I can see how conductors may be afraid of the size, but it does not have to destroy the ensemble in the hands of a sensible player. For those with that "over abundance of testosterone" perhaps this may be a bit of an issue.

I try to remember my first image of Jake sitting in the back row of the CSO and looking "effortless" in his playing, yet such a wonderful sound.

[bort]

One of the biggest downsides to owning a BAT, however, is that it has done *nothing* to improve my articulations, sense of rhythm, memory for sharps/flats, etc. But hey, I can check "tone" off the list, eh?

[bort]

...But hey, I can check "tone" off the list, eh?

at least, how it sounds from underneath the bell...

Hence " "