Posted by Greg Crider on May 22, 2001 at 15:13:54:
In Reply to: Dixieland posted by Cathy on May 22, 2001 at 11:41:15:
Playing in 2 or 4 depends on the music you're doing. From my experience, tubas sound best playing in 2 much of the time on Dixieland, but with a lot of embellishments, walkups, syncopation, and licks. If you go into 4, that's fine, but don't do it all the time.
Walking basses don't have quite the same effect on tuba that they do on string or electric bass. A fairly free walking part that sounds great on bass usually just doesn't carry the same feel on tuba. A repeated bass figure like a boogie bass lick, walkups, and arpeggiated parts usually serves better for playing in 4. Also, tubas playing in 4 usually need to push the beat a little, because the natural tendency of the horn (and a lot of players, me especially) is to lag a little behind.
Of course, there are people who violate every idea I've set forth and sound great, so don't take this as more than just a starting point. It's just my opinion.