Posted by Mark S. on June 16, 2003 at 10:53:39:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: use of F tubas in Europe posted by Rick Denney on June 16, 2003 at 10:36:48:
I heard the same story. Something about the Eb being considered "unsuitable" for orchestra. A kind of class distinction.This was probably due the afore mentioned European tradition for tradition's sake. The story goes that Fletch looked for a suitable F tuba, but could not find one. Then he opted for an Eb. After that, the rest of the country follwed suit. I'm sure that there were players who used there Eb in orchestra, but after Fletch did in the LSO, everyone else did.