A eupher furious because of oppression (read this sad story)

[TubaRay]

Daryl & Tuba Kitchen have offered you an excellent suggestion. You should have little or no trouble scheduling a performance at a nursing home. You will have an extremely appreciative audience there. If you do a really good job there, there may be others who will invite you to perform.

I preface what I am about to say by pointing out that I am a high school band director. Here goes. Scr** the school band. Continue to contribute as members of the band, but make your own opportunities if the director is unwilling to help you.

[Rick Denney]

I don't know much about the tenor tuba, but I do know that it has a much different sound than a euphonium/baritone. It's hard to explain, but the euphonium/baritone has an extremely unique sound that is unlike any other brass instrument in the orchestra. The tenor tuba sound is, in my opinion, something more suited for the orchestra - better serves it's function as a high tuba or a fifth french horn.

What instrument are you referring to when you use the term "tenor tuba". An Alexander 151? If so, it's no more different from the typical big euphonium than an Alexander 163 is from, say, a Meinl-Weston 2000. Different instruments have a different sound, but the difference is likely only to be noticed by us, and then more influenced by what we see that what we hear.

The mouthpiece makes some difference, and the tone concept of the performer makes a bigger difference. If you think a euphonium's sound is too characteristic and stands out too much, it's probably because the performer is accustomed to playing in a military band or brass band and is going for that sound. I would expect a euphonium player with a good grasp of an orchestral sound would be able to achieve it on any decent euphonium.

The tenor tuba part in Holst, for example, was clearly written for a euphoniumist, right down to its notation in the treble clef, ala brass band.

I find it quite amusing that we have lumped all tubas into fairly broad categories of contrabass and bass, with instruments as different as a Besson 983 and a B&S Symphonie (for example) occupying the same category. Or a 6/4 York and an Alexander. Or a Miraphone 186 and a Holton. But we have to separate the tenor tuba genus into a new species for every slight change in bore, bell size, or valve configuration.

Rick "who would not be offended to see a good performer using any given decent euph on any given tenor tuba part, as long as the result is musical" Denney

[Rick Denney]

As I am principally a tuba player and only dabble on euphonium, I am no expert on this, but I have always considered tenor tuba to be a collective term for conical instruments pitched in the vicinity of the "trombone B flat". This would include the euphonium in B flat and the French C tuba, amongst other instruments.
Every time I have seen a tenor tuba played in orchestra, the actual horns played have been euphonia. (In Mahler 7, the score says Tenorhorn in B, whereas Strauss requests Tenortuba in B for Ein Heldenleben.) If there is a difference in sound, it can most probably be ascribed to a difference in playing style.

Bingo.

I know that the pros who have occasion to play a tenor tuba part covet the Alex 151. Those who don't get one use a euphonium and still get paid. But preferring a 151 is the same as preferring an Alexander 163 over, say, a Miraphone 186. It's a preference based on sound, not species.

Rick "agreeing that 'tenor tuba' should be no more specific than 'contrabass tuba'" Denney

[Donn]

This is different in Iceland, I believe our nomenclature is copied from German. What the English-speaking world calls euphonium is called baritone horn, a tenor horn is pitched at the same B flat but has smaller bore and is less conical - and is called baritone in English.
What the English call tenor horn, we call an alto horn - it is pitced in E flat like a mellophone and typically looks like a 3/4 size tenor horn.

I think that's common to Europe, though there may be some other words for a few classifications, like "bombardino".

As I am principally a tuba player and only dabble on euphonium, I am no expert on this, but I have always considered tenor tuba to be a collective term for conical instruments pitched in the vicinity of the "trombone B flat". This would include the euphonium in B flat and the French C tuba, amongst other instruments.

I have only seen pictures of the French C tuba. Does it really sound like the euphonium? I would have guessed not. Also recall a Mahillon Bb instrument for sale on an online auction, where the seller was at some pains to emphasize that it was more of a tuba than a euphonium despite the length. Wondering if it would be reasonable to admit a distinct classificiation of "tenor tuba", without getting tangled up in the question of what may legitimately play specific orchestral parts.

[Brassdad]

[Mark]

I'm being oppressed! I'm being oppressed!
-monty python

One of the funniest movie scenes ever made:

Yes, of course! The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch! 'Tis one of the sacred relics Brother Maynard carries with him! Brother Maynard! Bring up the Holy Hand Grenade!

How does it, um-- how does it work?

I know not, my liege.

Consult the Book of Armaments!

Armaments, chapter two, verses nine to twenty-one.

And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, 'O Lord, bless this Thy hand grenade that, with it, Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits in Thy mercy.' And the Lord did grin, and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals and fruit bats and large chu--

Skip a bit, Brother.

And the Lord spake, saying, 'First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to three. No more. No less. Three shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it.'

The bunny was subsequently severely oppressed.

[Charlie Goodman]

Now we see the violence inherent in the system!




...dunno if that'll carry over to your band director though.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Now we see the violence inherent in the system!




...dunno if that'll carry over to your band director though.

It might -- is he one of those with nasty big pointy teeth?

[tubatooter1940]

Good luck euphoniumdude. You guys have gone to the trouble of working up this music. Perform it for as many groups as possible: elementary and middle schools, retirement homes, churches-call the chamber of commerce and book art festivals, conventions and city functions-even open mike nights at cafes. Some of these gigs might even pay.
Baritones and euphoniums get to do a whole lot of solo work in band music. If you have found a voice with this instrument, you probably will want to continue with it. If you care what people call it, tubeast's idea of having printed paper with the name on it will satisfy most folks.
If your band director has a performing opportunity for you, take it but plan to book other venues until you guys are happy.