Posted by Roger Lewis on November 28, 1999 at 17:54:57:
In Reply to: Practical playing range posted by Neil Dwyer on November 27, 1999 at 11:25:13:
High range is like underwear. Everyone has needs and preferences. There is
no limit to how high you can play, but whether it allows you to be musical in
the process or just show off is another matter. I remember premiering a pianop concerto in France several years ago and there were several sixteenth note licks coming down from
E flat over double high C in the part. It had a very high tesitura throughout.
I played it but all I could ask myself while doing it was "did the composer really have the sound of a blue jay farting in an empty silo in mind as a color at this particular point in the piece?"
I found out right befor the perfonmance that the arranger had written it for french high C tuba and the composer had specified American tuba in his instructions.
What all this boils down to is use good judgement and musical taste in everything you take to the public.
Good luck and hope this helps.
Roger