Posted by Mark Vogel on March 18, 2002 at 20:29:22:
In Reply to: Hymnal Bass part posted by Allan on March 18, 2002 at 13:11:11:
How high do the bass parts go as written? Hymnals I'm familiar with only rarely hit middle C or higher in the bass line. That should ultimately be within the range for an Eb tuba (sounding an octave below what is written). Read some of the archives on extending the high range. You might try getting an inexpensive notation program, like Noteworthy Composer, and transposing the melody so that the highest note is one you just have to stretch for. When you get comfortable in that range transpose the next set of hymns you practice just a step higher, and so forth. In the meantime, while working on the higher range, try the advice below of transposing just the high phrases down an octave.
Good luck, and keep at it.