Posted by Steve Oberheu on December 16, 2000 at 12:43:40:
In Reply to: F tubas posted by Henry on December 16, 2000 at 01:47:07:
Henry,
Welcome to the world of the German F tuba. That range from Eb-Bb below the staff is notorious for being difficult. That's just the nature of the beast. It took a long time for me to realize that if you try to play the F tuba, especially the German style (PT-10, PT-15, Meinl-Weston, Mirafone, etc.), like a CC you will not get the results you want.
The biggest thing to change is your concept of what the horn should sound like. It shouldn't be like playing a small CC or even an Eb, it should be like playing an F tuba. You can't force that range to resonate, you have to relax and have a good buzz up front and the sound will work. The sound of these horns when you get them to work for you is wonderful to hear in an orchestra.
Steve Oberheu