Posted by Lew on December 06, 2002 at 20:37:36:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Why is the Yamaha YBB-621 So Expensive? posted by MG on December 06, 2002 at 20:13:47:
In my opinion that depends on what you are using it for. A small BBb would in theory allow you to play with a little less breadth and volume to blend better with a small ensemble. Again in theory, one's playing range is the same regardless of the pitch of the horn. However, a BBb doesn't allow the clarity of tone in the high register that an F tuba would and, for me at least, I can go at least 3 or 4 tones higher on a bass tuba (an Eb in my case) than a contra-bass, even a smaller one. So if I am selecting a bass-tuba for music that has a lot of notes above the C just above the bass clef staff, a small BBb wouldn't work as a substitute. On the other hand, if the range of the music to be played is lower and I would be selecting a bass tuba because it's a smaller ensemble, I find that a small BBb is a reasonable solution.