Posted by Eric on December 07, 2001 at 22:55:35:
In Reply to: Re: Recreation and relaxation, which Tuba ? posted by Newbe on December 07, 2001 at 22:14:01:
Check some of the pedagogical links on this site for some of the information you seek. Here is a quick summary. The most commonly available tubas are in the keys of BBb, CC, Eb, and F, in increasing order of pitch from lowest to highest. BBb and CC are often referred to as contra-bass tubas and Eb and Fs referred to as bass-tubas. Contra-basses have a fuller sound in the low range, while bass-tubas have a stronger high range.
Which instrument is appropriate depends on what you intend to do with it. Are you just going to play solos for your self or do you plan to play with a group? If playing with a group will it be large or small? Which instrument is appropriate depends on the answers to these questions. If you are only going to be playing for yourself, you can get a 3 valve Eb tuba very inexpensively ($300 - $1000) and you would be able to play any of the songs you mentioned. If you intend to play with a large ensemble at some point you would want at least 4 valves on an Eb or a 3 valve BBb would be fine.
The 4th valve is used to help with intonation on certain valve combinations and to extend the low range. It is the same as the 1 & 3 valve combination, but tuned flatter than 1&3, which brings the notes requiring that combination in tune. When used in combination with the other valves the 4th valve allows one to play lower notes in tune. On a BBb tuba it is generally used for the low C and F (or F and Bb on an Eb tuba) and for a few notes below the low F. Most music you run into won't go so low that the 4th valve is required (on BBb), but it does help bring those 2 notes in tune.