Posted by doubler on February 03, 2000 at 16:36:21:
Would some of you who have had the opportunity to play one of these de-mystify this for the rest of us who will never play one? Particularly those who have played The Holy Yorks of Chicago. I hear some say they're hard to play, others say that it's easy once you get the technique down -- just what is the experience like, compared to a 4/4 type tuba. Air? Control? Pitch? Attacks? Slotting? Range? Like holding a Buick in your lap? And how do other large tubas (like the big Conns and Kings) compare?
I am one of the Pavlovian salivating dogs whenever I see one of these beasts, but rationally I know it's the curiosity more than anything that draws me to them. Enlighten me!! Thanks.