Brass Band tuba choices

[Dan Schultz]

Not having matching low brass doesn't seem to bother these guys much...


Lookin' good, guys!

(Lancaster Brass Band)

[barry grrr-ero]

Fire them all and get an electric bass. Then have a scrim made for the rear that shows four tuba players on it (with all matching compensators). Works every time.

[Dan Schultz]

I do not get what brass band traditionalists who are OK with CC tubas in groups fear and show hatred of F tubas in the groups, .

Because in the mind of some people, CC tubas are more 'blendy' like BBb's and Eb's than F tubas which can be more 'soloistic'. Modern supersized F tubas don't have the same effect and can be more Eb like in their timbre.

Along with a similar stupid mindset that mandates that one HAS to read treble clef tuba music!

[Dan Schultz]

.... Because in the mind of some people, CC tubas are more 'blendy' like BBb's and Eb's than F tubas which can be more 'soloistic'. Modern supersized F tubas don't have the same effect and can be more Eb like in their timbre.

Along with a similar stupid mindset that mandates that one HAS to read treble clef tuba music![/quote]

That's not a mindset, just a fact as 90% of the literature is only scored that way. Who's gonna pay someone to re-typeset those parts?[/quote]

I don't think ANYONE actually engraves or typesets plates any more. A few mouse clicks is all it takes to generate bass clef parts from popular notation software. Many American publishers make 'World Parts' available for the rest of The World. There's no damned reason why the Brits can't do the same. Tradition my patootie!

[Biggs]

I don't think ANYONE actually engraves or typesets plates any more. A few mouse clicks is all it takes to generate bass clef parts from popular notation software. Many American publishers make 'World Parts' available for the rest of The World. There's no damned reason why the Brits can't do the same. Tradition my patootie!

I used to feel this exact way, for this exact reason, and it scared me away from brass bands for many years. Fast forward to the recent past to when I was asked by a friend to fill in for a few months in a 'competing' brass band on the bottom BBb part. I spent a week hurriedly learning to read Bb treble (having never played any of the typical Bb treble instruments) and, after just one week's labor, I couldn't believe how silly I was to be scared of Bb treble and, more importantly, how beneficial it is, now, to be able to practice sightreading out of a trumpet book, play trumpet duets with trumpeting peers, grab a bass clarinet or treble euph part in a pinch in a shorthanded concert band, confidently accept any other brass band invitations I'm lucky enough to receive, etc., etc.

There's nothing to be afraid of, trust me! It's not even hard!

[Jacob.Guilbeau]

For what it's worth-
The two most consistent USA Brass Bands of the past 6 years have homogeneous bass sections with Bb and Eb horns, as previously posted.

Here is Dr. Scott Watson, from Fountain City, explaining WHY Bb and Eb basses made such a difference, along with an audio demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOs6DCnQQd0" target="_blank

Obviously the player matters first. But all things being equal I think it's been demonstrated that a fully homogeneous Bb/Eb bass section is preferable to a mix.

[MSchott]

For what it's worth-
The two most consistent USA Brass Bands of the past 6 years have homogeneous bass sections with Bb and Eb horns, as previously posted.

Here is Dr. Scott Watson, from Fountain City, explaining WHY Bb and Eb basses made such a difference, along with an audio demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOs6DCnQQd0" target="_blank" target="_blank

Obviously the player matters first. But all things being equal I think it's been demonstrated that a fully homogeneous Bb/Eb bass section is preferable to a mix.

No matter what he says, I've heard Fountain City many times and the secret to their success is the amazing amount of talent in the band. No doubt the homogeneous sound helps when they compete against bands of similar talent but playing ability throughout their band is what makes them great. They were spectacular at NABBA this year!

[Jacob.Guilbeau]

? I think you misunderstood. That was a concrete example of why their sound changed with exactly the same players from the dude who is actually in the band. He gives specific examples. They sounded one way. They changed horns. Now they sound better. Same players.

"No matter what he says" is a bit over the top. No matter what the Brighouse bass says either? Or any of the other top bands? Or the instrument manufacturers, who don't make brass band basses in CC or F? Where's the Yamaha Neo Bass Tuba in F? Or how we call them "basses" because they are the contrabass and bass members of the homogenous saxhorn family?

I think it's fine if you want to mix different families up because that's what you have or can afford. But if want to have the best sound you can get from a "British brass band", you should strive for Bb and Eb compensating bass saxhorns, all other things being equal.

[OOMPAH]

For what it's worth-
The two most consistent USA Brass Bands of the past 6 years have homogeneous bass sections with Bb and Eb horns, as previously posted.

Here is Dr. Scott Watson, from Fountain City, explaining WHY Bb and Eb basses made such a difference, along with an audio demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOs6DCnQQd0" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Obviously the player matters first. But all things being equal I think it's been demonstrated that a fully homogeneous Bb/Eb bass section is preferable to a mix.

+1

<---- Note the homogeneous emoticon section!

[Lectron]

I mentioned Stavanger in 2014 used F tuba and an Eb tuba. They won NABBA and are ranked no. 20 in the world (higher than any American brass band). The question I always have to these people, if they heard me behind a curtain, would they know if it is an Eb or an F. It is the player. I mentioned at NABBA 2015 to someone that a lot of the groups that were placing high in their sections were using a mix of tubas, including F tubas. Using F tubas didn't seem to effect the scores too much, and those sections I heard had very well blend just not in the section but among the sections.

The F guy was a replacement as one of the Effers turned ill, but. With that said.
For quite some time they did good with two CCs doing the BBb parts (one on 2165 and one on Rudy 5/4)
Once one of the BBb guys brought his 5/4 Willson for one note....a fff low BB, but their standard equipment is Yamaha compensator, Yammie all throughout the band (sponsor) thou the 1st Eb will not let her Besson Sovereign go

[pt88]

To me, the "most" traditional Eb tubas (those with 15" bells) sound *very* much like 14" - 16" bell F tubas...except louder.

me...?? Again, I've already said that - had I an opportunity to play in one of these bands - I would hope to play the low part, and with a 17" bell Besson/B&H Edgware St. 3+1 comp. BBb tuba.

Hi Bloke what MP would you use in this set up