What is the difference BBb and Bb

The bulk of the musical talk
User avatar
Brassdad
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 997
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:22 pm
Location: Milford, Ohio

What is the difference BBb and Bb

Post by Brassdad »

Just showing my ignorance and looking for som schoolin'
New Breed, Old Breed! It doesn't matter so long as it's the Marine Breed!
Allen
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 404
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:29 am
Location: Boston MA area

Post by Allen »

First of all, those terms are not as standardized as we would like.

The distinction between BBb and Bb (as well as between CC and C) is supposed to be one of octaves -- BBb is an octave lower than Bb.

A BBb tuba is our familiar one; a Bb tuba is a tenor tuba, generally known as a euphonium.

The higher pitched common Eb tuba has only a single E because it is pitched within the octave above the one that contains the BBb tuba.

Just to make life more complicated, the British frequently refer to their larger size Eb tubas as EEb tubas, even though they are the same pitch! Further, many of us will refer to our BBb tubas as "Bb tubas," and CC tubas as "C tubas."

So there it is: a mish-mash of academic exactness, marketing flim-flam, folklore and habit -- just like many other areas in life.

Cheers,
Allen Walker
User avatar
Rick Denney
Resident Genius
Posts: 6650
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:18 am
Contact:

Re: What is the difference BBb and Bb

Post by Rick Denney »

Brassdad wrote:Just showing my ignorance and looking for som schoolin'
None.

The designation is a misapplication of an old octave designation system that went bb, Bb, BBb, BBBb, etc. But that system broke the octave at the boundary between B and C, so if a CC tuba is CC, then a BBb should be BBBb. And if a BBb is correct, the CC should just be C.

It became a common but not universal practice, therefore, to represent contrabass tubas with the doubled letters, bass tubas with single letters unless it's an Eb and you are Besson, and single letters for tenor tubas. But I think the tenor tubas already have names, even if it's "tenor tuba" and this use of doubled letters is not well enough accepted to be dependable.

I have frequently referred to contrabass Bb tubas as both BBb and Bb, often in the same sentence. I know many others who have done the same. Likewise CC and C. I think it would be a very rare case that someone saying "Bb tuba" means a tenor tuba or euphonium.

Rick "who thinks this is one of many confusing nomenclature issues with tubas" Denney
User avatar
windshieldbug
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Posts: 11516
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
Location: 8vb

Post by windshieldbug »

Just to further confuse things, remember B in German notation is B flat, while H in German notation = B natural (B-A-C-H... )
User avatar
Randy Beschorner
bugler
bugler
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:44 pm

Post by Randy Beschorner »

Bloke wrote:
BBb - Bb = B

I would challenge the accuracy of the formula.
My math professor, Karl Hofenrichter would have gently,
Germanly corrected me if I had submitted that.
He would state instead:

BBb/Bb=B
Randy Beschorner

"Sin boldy and trust in God"
-Martin Luther
User avatar
GC
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1800
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:52 am
Location: Rome, GA (between Rosedale and Armuchee)

Algebberish

Post by GC »

BBb - Bb = Bb(B - 1)
JP/Sterling 377 compensating Eb; Warburton "The Grail" T.G.4, RM-9 7.8, Yamaha 66D4; for sale > 1914 Conn Monster Eb (my avatar), ca. 1905 Fillmore Bros 1/4-size Eb, Bach 42B trombone
User avatar
Kevin Hendrick
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 3156
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:51 pm
Location: Location: Location

Let it B?

Post by Kevin Hendrick »

Randy Beschorner wrote:Bloke wrote:
BBb - Bb = B

I would challenge the accuracy of the formula.
My math professor, Karl Hofenrichter would have gently,
Germanly corrected me if I had submitted that.
He would state instead:

BBb/Bb=B
GC wrote:BBb - Bb = Bb(B - 1)
B that as it may ... :P
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
User avatar
Leland
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 1651
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:54 am
Location: Washington, DC

Re: Let it B?

Post by Leland »

Kevin Hendrick wrote:B that as it may ... :P
Oh no... what is this thread going to B-come...
User avatar
windshieldbug
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Posts: 11516
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
Location: 8vb

Re: Let it B?

Post by windshieldbug »

Leland wrote:Oh no... what is this thread going to B-come...
Stop it B-for it can multiply!
BopEuph
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 656
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:51 am
Location: Orlando, FL

Post by BopEuph »

Leland wrote: Stop it B-for it can multiply!
I thought it already did, well B-for you said that:
bloke wrote:btw: BBb X Bb = BBBbb
Nick
User avatar
windshieldbug
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Posts: 11516
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
Location: 8vb

Post by windshieldbug »

bloke wrote:btw: BBb X Bb = BBBbb
BBBbb = AAA

B-ware those driving clubs!!!
User avatar
Brassdad
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 997
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:22 pm
Location: Milford, Ohio

Post by Brassdad »

OK.........

2B or not BB
New Breed, Old Breed! It doesn't matter so long as it's the Marine Breed!
User avatar
Kevin Hendrick
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 3156
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:51 pm
Location: Location: Location

Missouri loves company ...

Post by Kevin Hendrick »

Brassdad wrote:OK.........

2B or not BB
Hmmm ... in Navy ship codes, "BB" indicates a battleship, which seems reasonable for our lowest contrabass tubas ... :wink:
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
User avatar
windshieldbug
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Once got the "hand" as a cue
Posts: 11516
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:41 pm
Location: 8vb

Post by windshieldbug »

B there or B [] :oops:
User avatar
Rick Denney
Resident Genius
Posts: 6650
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:18 am
Contact:

Post by Rick Denney »

Sheesh. Another thread B-yond hope.

Rick "expecting it to B 'moved'" Denney
User avatar
Kevin Hendrick
6 valves
6 valves
Posts: 3156
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:51 pm
Location: Location: Location

There are no accidentals ...

Post by Kevin Hendrick »

schlepporello wrote:If you don't C# you will Bb. :P
Naturally! :oops:
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
User avatar
Brassdad
4 valves
4 valves
Posts: 997
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:22 pm
Location: Milford, Ohio

Post by Brassdad »

While this may not B the best example of classical play, it is a classic in and of it's self.
http://disneyshorts.toonzone.net/years/ ... cert1.html
New Breed, Old Breed! It doesn't matter so long as it's the Marine Breed!
User avatar
Randy Beschorner
bugler
bugler
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:44 pm

????????

Post by Randy Beschorner »

I can't tell. Is the tuba to Mickey's left raw or lacquered brass. Rotary or Piston valves? How many fingers does the tuba player have?
Randy Beschorner

"Sin boldy and trust in God"
-Martin Luther
User avatar
Tom Mason
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 394
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:43 am
Location: Middle of nowhere, close to nothing

I'm suprised

Post by Tom Mason »

I'm suprised that the word B has not been explored in the context of its context as an adverb

He B
She B
They B
We B


Tom Mason
It B good to have a gooder grammar lessen here.
User avatar
Tom Mason
pro musician
pro musician
Posts: 394
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:43 am
Location: Middle of nowhere, close to nothing

actually.............

Post by Tom Mason »

Might it B mo goodlier?

Tom Mason
Post Reply