Re: Re: Re: Re: BB industry!


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Posted by Rick Denney on February 27, 2001 at 11:34:39:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: BB industry! posted by B Harvey on February 27, 2001 at 02:09:03:

I would suggest Bevan's new edition of The Tuba Family. That and my reading of his article in The Tuba Source Book suggests a different picture. The F tuba was the standard instrument in England and Germany until the 1960's. The Small C tuba was the standard in France until a little before that time. Since that time, the EEb became the standard in England, mostly because no English maker made F's anymore and British trade policy made it difficult for tubists to buy elsewhere. F's have become the standard in France and Italy and remain the standard in Germany for most of the repertoire, at least amost players with European roots. In Germany, the BBb was the earth-mover of choice, but was considered a specialty instrument for when a contrabass was clearly called for in the music.

Bevan points out a trend in European orchestras in favor of general-purpose CC tubas as being based on the influence of American tubists playing there.

You are correct that when large tubas are used, the predominant instrument in Germany has been the BBb. But the standard instrument there is an F.

That said, the standard instrument in military bands there and in most places (except the top U.S. military bands) is a BBb.

Rick "a BBb and F player" Denney


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