I have this friend...

[Rick Denney]

...who is looking to purchase an EEb tuba. In your oppinion, is it appropriate for high-schooler entering college in september to play EEB rather than CC or BBb? Also, are there things that can be done on a CC that cant be done as well on a good Eb?

(this is not me...really is a friend...lol)

Tell your, um, friend that it's hard enough to compete in college without having to justify a non-standard choice of instruments. Once you---er---your friend has earned his stripes on conventional choices, then he can branch out to whatever direction he wants.

If your friend is majoring in something besides music, then play what you like playing. If you're in the UK, then forget what I'm saying.

Rick "who thinks having a great EEb is no excuse for not knowing how to play CC for someone who wants to be a pro" Denney

[Adam C.]

Some folks would argue that if you could only use 1 tuba, an Eb would be your best choice.

Personally, I'd love to see a young tuba player who is able to handle all aspects of playing on an Eb. I might not want to hear him blow "Fountains" and "Ride" on it, but it would surely be a good option for most basic playing and solo rep.

[Rick Denney]

But, thanks anyway...aside from the blatant sarcasm.

I've held the position consistently that music majors who intend a professional performing life really must have what it takes to play any of the tubas to a high level of proficiency. If this is hard for them (as it would be for me), then they should question if they really have what it takes. Those who have it don't seem to show any difficulty on various instruments, despite what they may say.

And doing well in school requires a balance between establishing your own direction and learning how to work within external constraints.

So, those who have the ability to be the very best on an unusual instrument choice probably have the skill to be the very best on any instrument. These people will usually earn the slack they need to pursue their unique vision. But there are successful professionals who didn't do that. Instead, they worked within the constraints and still excelled. Those in the former category usually take their own counsel and don't ask these questions in a place like Tubenet.

In my observation, those in the latter category who seek to avoid changing their instrument pitch are sometimes doing so to avoid having to learn new fingerings. That cannot be in the mindset of those who want to be a pro. If that isn't your case, then good for you.

As to the sarcasm, it's a cliche when you use the phrase "I have this friend..." that you are really talking about yourself. Sorry if my humor didn't apply in your case.

Rick "who suggests taking what you need and leaving the rest" Denney

[Viggofonen]

I'm an 18 year old student who play the Sovereign EEb-tuba. It is a tuba suited for playing solo literature, and some orchestral stuff, but I'm still looking foreward to by myself a CC-tuba so I can continue developing my low register.

I also play BBb-tuba in Brass Band, and I'm trying to use what i have learned on the EEb when playing on this tuba. Even thoug it's a bigger tuba, it can be played whit the same elegance as a EEb.

My thoughts about the different tubas, is that the F-tuba is suited for playing sololiterature and the CC for orchestral works. The EEb is a good allrounder and the BBb is for Brass and Marching Bands.

When I can aford it, I would by myself two new tubas: a CC and an F, and sell the EEb.

[Rick Denney]

I'm an 18 year old student who play the Sovereign EEb-tuba

Jan, my advice was targeted to people in the U.S.

Each country has its own tradition about which instruments are suitable in what applications, and my advice was to follow the tradition of one's region unless one has what it takes to overcome the tradition with a unique choice. In England, your Sovereign would be completely acceptable as an all-round instrument, and in Germany, the BBb/F combination might be more traditional. I don't know the traditions in Norway, but were I you I would heed the advice of your teachers.

Rick "who falls back to the general principle of not breaking rules before learning them" Denney

[Chuck(G)]

...who is looking to purchase an EEb tuba. In your oppinion, is it appropriate for high-schooler entering college in september to play EEB rather than CC or BBb? Also, are there things that can be done on a CC that cant be done as well on a good Eb?

Unless we're talking about the rattle-the-rafters Wagnerian type of literature, the answer is "no". As a matter of fact, your friend may well find himself at more of an advantage, with the lighter sound and more nimble response of a tuba with about three feet less of tapered tubing.

The low range will be more of a challenge, but not insurmountably so.

Eventually, your friend should learn to play any tuba (BBb, CC, Eb, F), regardless of the key. Playing a passage cleanly with a light sound on a big BBb, for example, is a skill worth acquiring.

[Viggofonen]

Rick:
In Norway, most proffesionals play a CC and an F, and I will do the same as soon as I get into the Norwegian Academy of Music. I will not spend 100.000 NOK (about 15000 USD) on new tubas until its nessesary, or I can afford it (whatever comes first). Until I do that, the Sovereign will suit my needs.

[Dan Schultz]

I have to defend the choice of Eb tuba as a persons sole instrument... especially if that person is somewhere except in the US. I started playing Eb many years ago and have since developed the ability to play all keys of tubas. An Eb tuba is in my opinion (I did say MY opinion) the most versatile instrument in the tuba realm... especially if it has at least four valves.

[Leland]

I've held the position consistently that music majors who intend a professional performing life really must have what it takes to play any of the tubas to a high level of proficiency. If this is hard for them (as it would be for me), then they should question if they really have what it takes. Those who have it don't seem to show any difficulty on various instruments, despite what they may say.

I hate writing "me too posts", but in this case, all I need to type is:

Yup.