Principal Tuba or Principal Tubist

[windshieldbug]

(although I have known a number of accompany-ists in my day)

I have been INFORMED that they now prefer to be known as "Collaborative Pianists" (makes me think of Vichy France, though... )

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Stefan Kac wrote:
[Not to hijack the thread or anything (which is exactly what I'm doing), but I have quite concerned lately by the prevalence of the term "tubaist". I think we are all in agreement that it should be "tubist" (just like violist and pianist). Yet people seldom make that mistake with those instruments (although I have known a number of accompany-ists in my day).

Interesting, it may be just me, but ALL of us are not in agreement, I play the tuba not the tub, so that makes me a tubaist, 2 of my friends comment a bunch that they don't play the flaut, and cannot be flautist's. Peace. ASG

[Mark]

I much prefer the term Solo Tuba - in that the tubist is the only one in the orchestra. Other people understand that.

Solo Tuba makes me think that you will only be playing solos with the orchestra.

[Kevin Hendrick]

... 2 of my friends comment a bunch that they don't play the flaut, and cannot be flautist's.

In that instance, "flattist" might be more apropos (as distinct from "flatist", which would have something to do with "flatus" ... which would be us (see Tubatooter's post above))

[Brassdad]

I much prefer the term Solo Tuba - in that the tubist is the only one in the orchestra. Other people understand that.

Solo Tuba makes me think that you will only be playing solos with the orchestra.

With a BAT would you be playing so-lows with the orchestra?

[Rick Denney]

I hear it both ways all the time. You are the principal tuba player for an orchestra. I say your title is Principal Tubist. But, a lot of people say Principal Tuba. Tell us what you think and why.

I voted Principal Tuba, for the reason that the title describes the position not the person. "Mr. Wind S. Bug was held the Principal Tuba chair in the Delaware Symphony." When you see it in print, it's always "W. S. Bug, Principal Tuba" with a comma, or "principal tubist W. S. Bug" when used in a sentence.

I've seen the same usage for all the other instruments in an orchestra, too.

Rick "who thinks everyone will know what you mean" Denney

[Rick Denney]

I think we are all in agreement that it should be "tubist"

I wouldn't be so sure about that. We've had this religious war before.

Personally, I don't care. Common usage suggests it could go either way. But "tuba player" is less pretentious than either of these options, and that's what I use when I have a choice.

Rick "whose wife is a banjist" Denney

[Kevin Hendrick]

I think we are all in agreement that it should be "tubist"

I wouldn't be so sure about that. We've had this religious war before.

And, no doubt, will again ... and again ... and again ...

[Dean E]

I much prefer the term Solo Tuba - in that the tubist is the only one in the orchestra. Other people understand that.

Solo Tuba makes me think that you will only be playing solos with the orchestra.

I think I read the tubist in one orchestra called "Principal Solo Tuba"!

I turned to Google, the authority in matters of choice:

11,400 for "principal tuba"
688 for "principal tubist"
52 for "principal tubaist"
9 for "haupt tuba"
7 for "tuba principale"
1 for "principal solo tuba"

[Stefan Kac]

We've had this religious war before.

And, no doubt, will again ... and again ... and again ... [/quote]

Well, obviously I missed that part, but I can imagine how it went and I wouldn't want to be responsible for causing a relapse. I will say that, for some reason, I have always thought that "tubist" is to "tubaist" as the "musician who happens to play tuba" is to the ponderous/flatulent stereotypes of the instrument. Just an aesthetic thing I guess.

[Mark]

I had a very similar conversation with my bass trombone player during rehearsal today...But she thinks that she should be given the same title. So I pose this question...What percentage of professional orchestras call their bass trombonist (see how I did that, right?) the title of "Principal Bass Trombone"?

See this:

http://www.basstrombone.nl/forum/viewto ... 1&start=30

Click and scroll down to Doug Yeo's posts on page three.

[windshieldbug]

What percentage of professional orchestras call their bass trombonist (see how I did that, right?) the title of "Principal Bass Trombone"? I was under the impression that most groups had a principal trombone, and that was it. She told me she thinks I'm mistaken. Opinions?

Again there is a difference between your title and what you are called. Titled positions have contract implications. What you call someone is just a reference to them. In the Delaware Symphony, my position in the contract (AND the bass trombone's) through arguing and justification, both went from section players to principal positions. (see: orchestra personnel).

Though I agree with Mr. Yeo about how many composers treat the trombone section, I must say I disagree about playing bass. Due to different equipment a tenor trombone player CANNOT use his axe in the same way. He needs a different horn and a different mouthpiece played a with a different concept to be really good, and not everyone automatically has that.

Title positions in the contract have more responsibility, and receive different pay, than non-titled positions. What those are, and how they are treated depends on the type of contract it is, and the history of that contract. If there is no contract, it hardly matters.

I always refer to myself as playing the tuba, or "the tuba with". Similarly, Jay always just called himself "bass trombone". The only time I'd ever use "Principal Tuba" is either written, or when talking with someone (like another professional tubist) who might understand the difference.