Posted by Straight outta the theory book... on July 31, 2001 at 12:45:24:
In Reply to: Re: Dumb question posted by who knows low note names? on July 30, 2001 at 21:53:41:
Middle C= c1
Octave below=c ("small" octave)
2 octaves below=C ("great" octave)
3 octaves Below=CC ("contra" octave)
This would put the BBb tuba 1 step below C in the Great octave, making it a part of the Contra octave...a CC tuba, on the other hand, is tuned to the C of the "great" octave, so it is really pitched to C, not CC.
Tim "My high school theory book is good for something" Murphy
PS: The book I'm taking this from is Robert Ottman's "Elemental Harmony", Fourth Edition, in case anyone is curious