Re: Re: Re: BBb Tubas


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Posted by Mike on February 11, 2001 at 11:14:38:

In Reply to: Re: Re: BBb Tubas posted by Gus Pratt on February 11, 2001 at 05:38:14:

I agree that we would be more comfortable in the sharp keys if we played them more often, but using the F#/Gb thing isn't exactly what we're talking about here. We're talking about instruments, not people. We have to distinguish between playing in Sharp KEYS (a series of pitches) and playing a particular sharp NOTE (a single pitch, which may be identified as sharp, flat, double natural or whatever.) The "Flat keys" namely F, Bb, Eb, Ab in particular, all have the notes F natural and Bb in the scale. These notes are played open (no valves) on the BBb tuba and are very nice notes indeed. The sharp keys, G, D, A, E, etc have the notes B natural and F#, and are not so nice to play on the BBb tuba, not just because of the physical fingering but because where the note lies in the overtone series for that fingering combination on the instrument.
Let's say the instrument is more comfortable on the flat side (not the player, they should be able to play anywhere). And a CC tuba is comfortable on either side, but a little better with sharp keys (sharp KEYS, not sharp notes).
I hope that makes sense,
MF


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