Posted by Joe Baker on March 18, 2002 at 14:51:50:
In Reply to: Hymnal Bass part posted by Allan on March 18, 2002 at 13:11:11:
I couldn't really tell from your question whether you are using a plain-old hymnal (vocal parts), or the accompanying instrumental book. If you are using the hymnal itself, understand that the part has to written within the attainable range of the average bass singer.
But even if you are looking at the instumental book, the problem remains much the same. The songs have to be in keys that make the bass vocal parts possible, and since the instrumental bass part is going to be about 80% the same as the vocal bass part, you still are going to be almost completely in the staff or (down an octave) almost entirely below it.
Joe Baker, who has played from both books on contrabass tuba, euph, and trombone - but never bass tuba.