Posted by JIm on July 08, 2003 at 11:54:20:
In Reply to: Keeping a good beat posted by Not quite together on July 08, 2003 at 11:05:44:
Your perception of your own attacks is a little distorted by the fact that you are both generating and hearing the notes at the same time. This is not a bad thing, in my opinion. I also play in a community band and am told that my attacks are a little too early (I start the note at the exact bottom of the director's down beat and subsequent beats). I have since learned that he prefers ALL the instruments to attack just a little tiny bit after the point of his beat. This, of course flies in the face of everything I was ever taught (and also taught to others), but I have adapted.
Your conductor should work directly with you and your section (at rehearsal) at least a couple of times to assure that both his intentions and your attacks, match. You are right in assuming that the tuba has a responsibility to the whole band to supply a clear and steady beat, with appropriately timed attacks.