Why F tuba?


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Greg Crider on April 23, 2001 at 23:16:14:

Since so many top-line players have tremendous extended high ranges on any size instrument, why bother with F tubas for anything but the most extreme hig parts? A persistent thread on this BBS is the often thin tones, skunky low ranges, and horrid intonation of many F turas, so what's the use? I know that you sometimes need a lighter tone or a smaller horn for more virtuo music; contrariwise, then why have F tubas with enormous bores and bells?

I've seen Michael Moore play extended parts above the staff on BBb or CC tubas for years with the ASO, and he always sounds clean, clear, and perfectly in tune and doesn't seem to need smaller horns; the sound often seems to benefit from the bigger horns in spite of being high. In all honesty, though, I have seen him play F (or Eb, I couldn't tell) tubas, such as in the high part in The Rite of Spring.


Follow Ups: