Posted by Andy Cattanach on May 04, 2001 at 08:08:45:
In Reply to: Re: Contra-Octave in band playing posted by Dave Zerkel on May 04, 2001 at 07:19:06:
Please remember that when a lot of music was written, we didn't have the facilities to "drop octaves" due to limitations of tubas. A lot of brass band music written early in the last century, and any earlier orchestral music couldn't have been written down the octave. There are a lot of occassions when the form and style of a piece calls for pedals.
Also, many composers don't know the true range and ability of the tuba family. Look up the playing range of tuba in any scoring book. The bottom octave just doesn't exist.
I, personally, have had favourable comments from composers when "de-composing" their works, and one in particular has increased the tuba range in his compositions.
Admittedly, some people take it too far, but you perhaps need to hear a top UK brass band to appreciate the positive difference a pedal can make.
Andy Cattanach, UK.