Posted by Roger B on June 12, 2000 at 21:56:47:
In Reply to: Fluency on different keyed tubas posted by Bill Burdick on June 11, 2000 at 18:41:23:
Legend has it that Paginni broke a string while in the middle of a performance of one of his compositions and continued on using three strings without missing a note. He transposed the whole piece as he went along to fit three strings instead of four!!!!!!
If he can do that, I think tubists should not complain about 4 keys. However, not having played an Eb or F in since college days, I can see where it is tough if you are not used to it. I play along with my band kids sometimes on whatever instrument is laying around (sometimes even tuba)and find it very helpful. The key is to have a sense of what the part sounds like before playing it. Occasionally, I'll take my BBb to orchestra just to give myself something extra to think about on a slow night. It is a matter of practice and "immersion". Its like playing Euchere with 2-7 cards and making the 4s the "bowers". Just my thoughts.... Roger B