Re: Re: Bb or CC for college


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Posted by Lee Stofer on March 27, 2003 at 08:38:20:

In Reply to: Re: Bb or CC for college posted by H.B. on March 26, 2003 at 08:55:09:

I understand your feelings about your Hirsbrunner, just be aware that Hirsbrunner, Rudolf Meinl, Alexander, Thein, and Gronitz all make world-class, handmade tubas, and that they are generally out of the budget of beginning college students.

As for which-key instrument to buy, it depends upon what you plan to do with it. If you plan to be a music major, particularly a performance major, then the least-friction option is to get a C tuba. No one will hassle you about not playing a BBb, and a number of tuba recital works written in the last 25-30 years lay better on the C tuba, particularly a lot of the unaccompanied works. Playing a C tuba in band will make you stronger with your fingering patterns(particularly in Db and Gb), and it should make virtually no difference whether you play a BBb or a C tuba in orchestra.

If you are planning to be a playing non-music major, then I'd (1) see what sort of tubas the college owns, and maybe play one of them instead of buying one, or (2) get a good-playing used BBb tuba. You'll primarly be playing in the school's band, where a good BBb tuba will sound great and pose no problems. A BBb tuba is inherently easier to play in-tune than a tuba in any other key, and you will have minimal expense and hassle that way.

If you really like to play BBb tuba,(or C tuba, for that matter) and find one you like, go for it, regardless of what you plan to do with it. Enjoying the instrument you are playing is more important than what kind it is. People can tell when you are having fun playing an instrument, and they are likely to enjoy it, too.

Lee Stofer


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