Different pitched tubas

[DannyEldredTuba]

Hi everyone, I have a question, I hope this is the right place for it. Is there anyone who owns a Bb, CC, Eb, and F tuba for all different occasions and settings. I currently own a CC (Thor) and an F (B&S PT-10). I first started thinking of using other tubas than CC and F when I heard John DiCesare play Shostakovich with a Fafner and thought the blend was incredible with the trombones. I also have heard several people use an Eb tuba for quintet and I am always impressed with the blend with the other brass instruments. I personally love my Thor for most classical music and my PT-10 for solo, and orchestra work as well. I try not being an equipment guy because I spent so much of my time early on focusing on equipment and not practicing long tones and other technique, just making excuses, but I’ve been making up for that for awhile now. I also believe that most uninformed listeners wouldn’t be able to distinguish the difference between BB, CC, Eb, and F tubas. But I’m interested in getting the opinions of my fellow tubists.

Thank you all,
Danny

[tbonesullivan]

Well, consider that there is considerable variation in the size of most of the "small" tubas, particularly the F and Eb. While they are shorter overall, some have really large bores with big bells as well, so while pitched higher, they can still sound HUGE. The opposite doesn't really work as well, and it's not easy to find a good playing BBb or CC tuba that sounds small.

I'm sure there are plenty of players who have a "tuba for every occasion", but most probably just have a Bass Tuba, and a Contrabass tuba, with the possibility of a Tenor Tuba / Euphonium. I remember someone here mentioning one well-known pro who only plays CC, BBb, and Euphonium, with no Bass Tuba.

[The Brute Squad]

Is there some niche in your playing that's lacking from just having a CC and an F? If that's the case, and a Bb or Eb (or cimbasso or whatever) fits that niche, then go for it.

If you're doing everything well with the two horns you already have, then just stick with those.

I was a one-horn guy for about a decade. Band, orchestra, the rare occasion where I soloed, it was all on F. The reason I bought my J-865 this spring was because I was sick of saying "I really need a CC for this piece" to myself.

Will I ever expand beyond that? Maybe one day, but what I have works for me right now.

[toobagrowl]

Most of my playing these days is on large Eb tuba and BBb tubas and sousas. I don't play CC as much as I don't play in an orchestra anymore. But I do pull out my 5/4 CC on rare occasions when I want to -- I plan on using my CC next week. I will ty it out at the first rehearsal, see how it goes. If it is 'too heavy', I will use one of my large Eb tubas.

As for F tuba, I did have one many years ago, but rarely used it -- I only used it my senior year at college, a student-composer composition, and soon after for an audition for an orchestra I played in for 4 years. I never used the F in the orchestra those 4 years -- I used my CC. So I sold my F tuba nearly 10 years ago because it was just sitting there collecting dust.

I'm pretty comfortable on BBb, CC, and Eb tuba, but I do 'pick and choose' which one to use for a particular gig or concert

[kathott]

I have always made an effort to keep up with the four tubas, and use them professionally. Having a collection of instruments is both a blessing and a curse: you have an inventory to choose from, but retaining a characteristic sound on each is a challenge. All have differing playing tendencies, ultimately affecting consistency in performance.
Too many is too much, and for this reason I have passed up (or sold) some wonderful instruments.

My own useage is approximately 40% CC; 30% EEb; 20% F; 5% BBb; 5% euphonium.
K.

[Michael Grant]

[quote="DannyEldredTuba"]I also believe that most uninformed listeners wouldn’t be able to distinguish the difference between BB, CC, Eb, and F tubas.”

.... and neither can most informed listeners.

[b.williams]

Hello. I also enjoy tooting on the four tubas. I do it as a way to keep my mind active. I get a kick out of bringing a different key of tuba each week to rehearsal. I am not sure my section mates feel the same.