Posted by just a tuba player on April 21, 2003 at 10:25:09:
I'm a college student majoring in tuba performance and am looking to buy a contrabass tuba over the summer. I'm thinking CC just because there are more options as far as price, 5th valve and good used ones, but I'm equally comfortable on BBb. My instructor is pushing a 5/4 or possibly a 6/4. I trust his judgement, but I don't think I need a horn that big. Here's the thing:
I don't have the desire to try for one of those few and far between orchestra jobs because I find most of the music boring, but that dosen't mean I'm not practicing the standard excerpts and listening to recordings. I just see too many people that buy the huge horns and don't ever get those kind of gigs. I would be perfectly happy with a 4/4 horn because I don't play in ensembles that need that kind of 'BAT power'. And yes, I do own a bass tuba that I get ALL of my (outside the school)gigs with and do most of my playing on.
What are my options for purchasing a 4/4 tuba?
Purchasing a BAT?