Going from BBb to CC

[Tom B.]

This isn't exactly the same as going from BBb to CC, but maybe the same principles apply. I learned on a CC and subsequently bought an F tuba. I used the Getchell books to learn fingerings and it took me about two months to get relatively comfortable. Then I had surgery on my left hand, and my surgeon told me the CC tuba was too heavy to pick up until I healed completely, but the lighter F horn was OK. So, I was suddenly thrust into exclusively playing an F tuba in a fairly decent concert band. I did ok except for those notes that aren't in the Getchell books--particularly those low notes. I spent a lot of time practicing passages and after a couple more months, they were also solid.

Bottom line--as you work on new fingerings, don't skip the extremes--especially the bottom end.

Tom