Posted by Adam Crowe on May 03, 2001 at 23:24:05:
In Reply to: Contra-Octave in band playing posted by Austin H. on May 03, 2001 at 17:31:29:
When I was in high school and even a little in college, taking things down the octave was something "cool to do". I think back on it now, and realize that some of those times I probably did it just because I could. It probably did not add to the sound like I thought it would. In the Coast Guard band, my colleague Rich Denton and I very rarely drop octaves. One reason for that is our group is more of a wind ensemble, 43 musicians with 2 tubas and 2 euphs. We have a smaller, tighter sound than other large military bands. Also, I find that some of the better band composers will utilize the lower register of the tuba, so there is often not a need to drop anything :) If you've played Respighi's Huntingtower, you'll know there are 2 tuba parts with the 2nd part going down to low Db's and Eb's *where appropriate*. Respighi knew what he was doing :)
Adam "is amused by these little nicknames" Crowe