Posted by Jay Bertolet on January 10, 2000 at 23:51:20:
In Reply to: Why not start new players on CC or F ? posted by Tom Brekhus on January 10, 2000 at 23:00:13:
My students ask me this question all the time, usually right after I tell them that if they want to play CC tuba they'll have to buy their own. My thinking is that it is because there are virtually no CC sousaphones in existance. I'm sure part of it is for ease of switching, i.e. open equals a Bb on BBb tuba just the same as euphonium and Bb trumpet. Joe makes a good point that the Weril is a very inexpensive CC tuba but this horn is a 3/4 tuba (not exactly the ideal choice for large ensembles) and a rather recent option. In the past, BBb tubas were very much cheaper than CC tubas. Maybe this custom has developed into a habit because it allows teachers to easily see which students are really serious enough about playing to plunk down $7K+ for good equipment...
Just a thought. :)