Re: Re: EEb vs. BBb


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Posted by Eric on August 15, 2001 at 15:59:02:

In Reply to: Re: EEb vs. BBb posted by brad on August 15, 2001 at 14:06:46:

Yes, the bass clef fingerings on a Eb (EEb) tuba would be the same as playing a Bb trumpet. That is, the Eb below the bass clef staff is in the same place as the C (concert Bb) below the treble clef staff. So, if a trumpet player can handle the embouchure they could play Eb tuba by using the same fingerings for each note in the same position on the staff as they would use for trumpet. The problem with this is that if they think of the notes as what they are written as, they are playing different notes than they would be with the same fingering on trumpet.

On the original question, the main difference between tubas of different keys is the sound quality that they can produce in different ranges. In theory the range of each instrument is the same. So, to generalize, a BBb tuba is the lowest pitched (not counting the BBBb monsters) and has a big, fat, "tubby" sound, a CC has a little more focused sound, an Eb has a clearer sound in the middle range and is generally a little thin below the low Bb, and an F tuba has a clearer high range with more of a solo voice. All of these are generalizations and there are CC tubas that have a fatter sound than certain BBbs and F tubas that are fuller than certain Ebs and even CCs, and so forth.

If you are looking for a tuba as an amateur to play in a large community band, a BBb is probably your best bet, both because of cost and to support the group. I have seen people use Eb tubas in these bands with success, but think that a single Eb would have trouble supporting a large band by itself. Eb and BBb tubas play different parts written specifically for them in British brass bands, but they generally play the same parts in US bands.

CC and F tubas are the preferred instruments of most professionals, with the CC's being either all around horns, or large ensemble horns, and F's being used more for small ensemble or solo work for specific pieces requiring that particular sound.

How's that for a broad generalization! Like anything else, there are many exceptions to these statements.


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