Posted by Dan Bradley on October 05, 2000 at 09:17:46:
In Reply to: double pedal C posted by Marty Neilan on October 05, 2000 at 08:58:34:
You can play a double-pedal C on a 5-valve CC tuba with a normal flat whole-step fifth valve. Just push all five down. It will most likely ride pretty sharp, but if you have another C as a point of reference, then you can make it happen (the pitch can be bent easily down there). On top of that, I doubt that anyone could really distinguish that note without a point of reference (if you just played the note without having any other notes before it), so it's probably okay if the note coming out is actually a D or a Bb or whatever. You could also fake it and play it open. I can't give you any advice on the higher horns. That is definitely in the true pedal range of the instrument, i.e., it has to be done with the lips- the valves won't take you that low. Good luck on a tough piece!
Dan B.