Larger is not always better!

[Wyvern]

Yesterday evening I had a wind band concert and was the only tuba/bass for band of around 50 strong. On such occasions I normally play a 6/4 CC, as usual now-a-days using a Wessex TC694 Chicago-Presence. But for Tomlinson’s Suite of English Folk Dances I felt a lighter tone and more nimble tuba would be more suitable, so took along a Wessex TE360 3/4 Eb Bombino (4-valve compensated). The small Eb worked amazingly well and I got comments from the trombones in rehearsal that although a small tuba, it sounded much larger that it actually is and projected without problem. So in the end I used the Eb for quite a bit more, Bourgeois Serenade, Riverdance when just accompanying woodwinds, Palladio and even the opening phrase of Holst First Suite in Eb where I found the smaller tuba easier to play a true piano legato with the euphonium.

So my conclusion was that although a 6/4 tuba is clearly better to provide broad bass foundation with full band, the small tuba used judiciously is a good tool to have even with large concert band.

I will now be tempted to take two tubas to use in future concerts!

[geomiklas]

...I felt a lighter tone and more nimble tuba would be more suitable... it sounded much larger that it actually is and projected... I will now be tempted to take two tubas to use in future concerts!

I have been considering Miraphone 184 5UCC for a couple of years, but never pushed the “Buy Now” button because I want to play any horn before buying it. Well in August I went to TubaSUMMER at the University of Akron [Ohio] and had my opportunity. Words can’t express my shock with the 184 for surprisingly full sonic space, and lighter weight than my 186. So just buying a 180 F, I have to recoup some discrepancy cash for a 184.

On another note... have you ever been to an orchestral audition? My second audition was at Naples-Marco Philharmonic in 1990, I was the only one there with a single horn (186). EVERYBODY else was toting 3 or 4 horns (BAT, small bore, F/Eb, Euphonium). I was overwhelmed with it all then.

George

[iiipopes]

I have used my "Bessophone" (Mirafone [yes, that old] 186 BBb with Besson New Standard BBb 17-inch bell) for everything from brass quintet to being the only tuba supporting a large community concert band. I have had no difficulty "lightening up" when required, or giving it everything necessary to properly support a large concert band, and have been well received in all contexts.

[Ken Herrick]

186 threads.png

There will be more...…………………….

[Oldschooltuba]

You are absolutely right Jonathan. I select the right size horn with several considerations. I love playing my 6/4 York, but sometimes I want a different response and sound.

[Wyvern]

186 threads.png

The 186 is a great all purpose tuba, but like all 4/4 CC/BBb, it obviously won’t provide the foundation under a large concert band like a 6/4. I would consider it fine for a 25 piece band, or with multiple tubas, but a contrabass of this size would just not provide enough bass alone with large concert band playing ff in big work.

Orchestral Tubist often use multiple tubas to vary their tone in different pieces. There is no reason the same principle cannot be applied with band

[geomiklas]

"lap sousaphone"

Nice, and quite descriptive of the 6/4 beast!