French C tuba vs contrabass tuba

[Ace]

Here's an interesting video of a small ensemble playing Pictures excerpt, first with contrabass tuba and then with small French C tuba. I much prefer the big horn. It must have been a pain for olden day players to wrestle with the small C tuba.

https://youtu.be/-SFBH0lFCIw?t=57" target="_blank

Ace

[barry grrr-ero]

Actually, I'm quite amazed that the low notes are as good as they are on what's a essentially a big euphonium in C with lots of valves and tubing. It sounds pretty well in tune also. I'm impressed.

[joshealejo]

That is the great work of Mr. UncleBeer. It sounds really great, he has another video playig Bydlo using that Couesnon bass saxhorn, souds great also!

It would be great to have more examples of music played side by side with "nowdays" CC tuba and french bass saxhorn (Please do It Mr. UncleBeer)

[UDELBR]

That's Dr. UncleBeer! That recital pulled me over the DMA finish line. Now I have a piece of paper that says I can play an essentially obsolete instrument.

For those who are interested (pretty sure I've put these links up before), here is the French Orchestre National de la RTF in 1961 playing Pictures, using the French tuba for the entire piece: https://youtu.be/rp-vIzUbK-c" target="_blank

And here is a modern performance of the Rite using two French tubas: https://youtu.be/rq1q6u3mLSM" target="_blank

[barry grrr-ero]

My question is this: is there a recording of "Pictures" - presumably with a French orchestra - in which you can really hear the French 'petite tuba' in C played well?

[UDELBR]

Funny, though, the trombones are a modern/louder version than when the French C tuba was used frequently. Perhaps, if the trombones had changed to a smaller bored instrument it would have helped the sound?

Modern 'bones though are not twice as long as their predecessors though, as is the case of the CC BAT and the French tuba the whole piece was written for.

[TheGoyWonder]

I think the trombones balanced down for the little one. It did pretty okay...but I'd guess a regular comp euph on a bass bone mouthpiece would do about the same.

[barry grrr-ero]

. . . yes, and it's one thing to play as a section in an empty room, it's quite another to play with the entire orchestra - percussion and trumpets included - in a hall full of audience members. That's why the tuba gods created 5/4 and 6/4 tubas.

[ken k]

how would this horn compare to a euphonium? Is the sound comparable, intonation?

It would seem to me that there are many more quality euphs made nowadays than CC tenor tubas.

[UDELBR]

. . . yes, and it's one thing to play as a section in an empty room, it's quite another to play with the entire orchestra - percussion and trumpets included - in a hall full of audience members. That's why the tuba gods created 5/4 and 6/4 tubas.

Mmmm, no. I used this instrument for years with my orchestra when playing French repertoire. It balances just fine.

[southtubist]

Nice playing- I really liked the French tuba! It's like an old mountain howitzer- lots of firepower but in a surprisingly small package! I bet Bydlo is a little easier too!

Also, this shows that sound concept rules. You still sound like the same guy on both horns, and you also still sound plenty big on that little French tuba. Most untrained listeners wouldn't notice the difference.

[PaulMaybery]

Carl, you make a very convincing argument for using the French tuba, and it does make sense on the appropriate French pieces. We are going on a similar trip these days with the cimbasso. And of course we have all the pros and cons. All that aside, if you have one, play it as well as your main instrument, then by all means use it where it was intended. From what I understand a certain company maybe coming out with a 6 valver in C sometime soon.
I suppose one in Bb might be more practical as many of us tuba freaks already play the euph. That would drastically reduce the learning curve, thus perhaps it might get used more often. But thanks so much for doing that recital.

[UDELBR]

I suppose one in Bb might be more practical as many of us tuba freaks already play the euph. That would drastically reduce the learning curve

Most of us are fluent in CC, so just reading up an octave is easier than you'd think!

From what I understand a certain company maybe coming out with a 6 valver in C sometime soon.

I understand it will be suspiciously similar to my instrument!

[DouglasJB]

Any time frame on a production model?

[UDELBR]

Any time frame on a production model?

Jonathan might be able to answer.

[PaulMaybery]

Most of us are fluent in CC, so just reading up an octave is easier than you'd think!

I'll take you at your word, Carl.

We'll see next year when it hits the streets and I can give it an audition.

If it's as good as the other newer models in the Wessex line, it will more than likely be a great player.

[Ace]

Great players (French tubas, ophicleides, serpents, contrabass trombones, or what-have-you), who are also familiar with the instruments, time-spent-wise, are the best for demonstrating (playable versions of) instruments with which most players of related-modern instruments are not familiar.

Instruments of antiquity end up with a bad rap when (ex.) musicologists demonstrate them in a classroom, on a stage, or via youtube.

Good point, Joe. I think this serpent player would meet the definition of great.

https://youtu.be/n-Sbq-XL_VU" target="_blank

Ace

[Dubby]

https://youtu.be/lZzr4xXPeyw and yet another great rendition to add to the list (but no French C tuba)

[UDELBR]

https://youtu.be/lZzr4xXPeyw and yet another great rendition to add to the list (but no French C tuba)

That's Patrick Wibart on serpent. Truly fantastic playing! He's part of the saxhorn quartet called Opus333. If you haven't heard their stuff, you should! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=opus333

[Donn]

I'm sure a fan. Their saxhorns are about the same length, but not as fat? Their low end seems leaner.