Posted by Matt G on December 17, 2002 at 08:24:50:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: CC St.Pete any news? posted by Rick Denney on December 16, 2002 at 17:25:21:
Rick,
Good points.
Other things to consider are that all of the brasses in a high school band, with exception to the French Horn have a Bb overtone series. The F Horn even has an open Bb if it is a double horn. This makes tuning a much easier on the director and the students. It also allows switching to be much easier because of the same harmonic "home base". Blend will also tend to be better, because the valved instruments will have the same relative tuning issues.
Any of you guys who doubt this can try lining up the first sixteenth note lick in the Hindemith Symphony in Bb for Band with a BBb and a CC tuba. Db, and B are real bears to line up. It can be done, but it is a lot easier with two CC's or BBb's. Then factor in that the Trumpets and Euphs have the same problems and that few high school trombone players really know where sixth position is and you really begin to see why BBb is the tuba of choice.
When dealing with High Schoolers and difficult music, keeping at least one factor constant is in your best interest as a director.
Matt G