Posted by Tim L. on June 15, 2003 at 12:20:26:
In Reply to: F Tuba Timbre posted by D.Graves on June 13, 2003 at 20:52:20:
Dave --
Here's my two cents worth (over-priced):
I believe that when a player reaches a certain level of performance,
after years of lessons and listening to artists recorded and live, the player
has developed in his mind the concept of his own, ideal sound.
Obviously, there are some tuba/mouthpiece combinations that will sound 'brighter'
and some combinations that will sound 'darker', and rotary-valve horns play
differently than piston horns.
But I believe that the player's indvidual concept of sound (either on bass tuba or contra-bass tuba) contributes just as much as his choice of equipment to the overall presentation.
I can cite a few examples:
Years ago I was fortunate to know and listen to Tucker Jolly (Besson F); Ev Gilmore (Mirafone F); and Jeff Arwood (Besson F). These artists all used small horns, but produced what I call a true tuba sound (as opposed to being more euph.-like).
Tim (forgive my ramblings) Loehr