F Tuba

[Asianeuph]

Hi, I've been a long time lurker in the for sale section. I'm sorry if there if a post like mine already, but every time I attempted a search i got a little message saying "The following words in your search query were ignored because they are too common words".

I'm a high school euphonium player going into my senior year of high school. Recently I have had an interest in playing F tuba. Are there any beginner books that teach F tuba? What mouthpiece would you recommend that I start with?

Thanks!

[happyroman]

There was a post a while back that discussed an edition of the Tyrell tuba etudes that were written with bass tubas in mind. They are similar to the Bb edition, but are in a higher tessitura which worked well for the Bass (i.e., F or Eb) tuba. The thread also had a number of helpful posts that discussed method books that would be good for practicing the F tuba.

Here's the thread I saw. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66760&p=550907&hilit=tyrell#p550757" target="_blank

Here's another one on the same subject. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5674" target="_blank

And, here's a link to another etude book that was recommended. http://www.justforbrass.com/ten-studies ... 130008.cfm" target="_blank

[swillafew]

I use a Yamaha 67C4 that the Tuba Exchange suggested when I got my first F 20 years ago. Now it's used on two other horns, and it's going strong.

For a method start with the music you know already and take passages in the octave that fits the instrument, or octaves as the case may be. Cello music works well too.

[hockeyched]

Kaleidoscope by Gilles Senon is a bari sax/high tuba book. Something to check out.

[PaulMaybery]

There are varying opinions on mps for F tubas and much of your choice depends on the sound you wish to emulate and the characteristics of the instruments. You have read some very intelligent comments already. For some, a smaller, more solo style mp is desirable on the F tuba. (I prefer the G&W Beltane and the Tephra ) These can be great for playing most solos. Some might consider these relatively large.

On the other hand, a normal sized mp that would be used on the BBb or CC can work excellently as well such as the G&W Alan Baer MMVI. For mid range orchestral playing I happen to prefer a larger piece on the F. To me it helps with the sweetness of the sound. A little less bark and a little more velvet. Plus, more presence when playing with ensembles that are larger than say, one piano. I do have a pile of pieces and will switch around like some people change socks. But I know what I am looking for and realize that different equipment can yield different results. A basic Helleberg should work as well as the Miraphone C4 or the Bobo Solo. You simply need to approach them differently.

It is also wise to remember that there are varying designs of F tuba from the larger 6/4 MW, B&S, BMB etc, to the smaller Miraphone 180. Some play very open and others with more resistance. The differences in design are intentional and represent various schools or style.

Most of us who have an F in addition to a larger CC or BBb are fortunate. Horns are pricey. I suppose on a "perfect day" in a "perfect world" it might be advantageous to have a small F for solos and a large F or orchestra. But we know there are very few "perfect days' and certainly no "perfect world."

I like to play the Arutuiunian Concerto on the F tuba. I use the G&W Churada which is relatively narrow in diameter. It facilitates the continuous high tesitura up to g above middle C. This and the John Williams are perhaps the only two standard solo pieces I would play on that mp. It works so well, and takes so much of the stress out of the chops. For me it is the right tool for that specific job.

I also feel that the more premium MPs will show their stuff better on an F than a BBb or CC. Perhaps because we play more soloistic when on the F and as such feel the benefits of a finely tooled piece somewhat more acutely.

The thing I always need to emphasize is that the piece can help out a bit, but the player needs to produce the initial sound and pitch. There are no magic bullets.