Tuba-Euphonium Doublers

[massmanute]

I read this thread a few times, most recently today, and I wonder if there are any more comments about a euphonium player taking up tuba as a second instrument. I am especially interested in hearing more discussion about the choice of BBb vs. Eb tuba. (For sake of discussion, assume 4 valve non-compensating BBb vs. 4 valve compensating Eb). Also, what sorts of ensembles provide the best fit to a BBb vs. Eb tuba? Also, my vital capacity may play a role as well. For example, for a BBb I guess as a 70 year old the vital capacity issue would push me toward a smaller (3/4) BBb instrument or maybe an Eb instrument. I did find and Eb compensating tuba that sells for about $1700, which would be a stretch for my budget, but not out of the question if/when I decide to pull the trigger on a purchase. As I mentioned in another post, I also found a small BBb instrument for about $1000.

And so forth....

[Shawn]

Get one while we're still young.
You are unlikely to regret it.

[John Morgan]

I read this thread a few times, most recently today, and I wonder if there are any more comments about a euphonium player taking up tuba as a second instrument. I am especially interested in hearing more discussion about the choice of BBb vs. Eb tuba. (For sake of discussion, assume 4 valve non-compensating BBb vs. 4 valve compensating Eb). Also, what sorts of ensembles provide the best fit to a BBb vs. Eb tuba? Also, my vital capacity may play a role as well. For example, for a BBb I guess as a 70 year old the vital capacity issue would push me toward a smaller (3/4) BBb instrument or maybe an Eb instrument. I did find and Eb compensating tuba that sells for about $1700, which would be a stretch for my budget, but not out of the question if/when I decide to pull the trigger on a purchase. As I mentioned in another post, I also found a small BBb instrument for about $1000.

And so forth....

Picking a BBb vs an Eb I would think is pretty dependent on what groups you plan/want to play in. If you were going to play in a symphony orchestra or a large wind ensemble/concert band, then I would probably pick a BBb tuba. For orchestra, I would actually pick a full sized or larger BBb or CC tuba. And for the large concert band or wind ensemble, a full sized or larger BBb tuba. BBb and CC tubas have more gravitas and I think are just better choices than Eb or F tubas for big groups. But, if you were to play in a Brass Band, then a BBb or Eb tuba would be equally good choices, as those groups have both of those instruments specifically (usually 2 of each). For much smaller groups, like a brass quintet, I would probably choose an Eb tuba. Or I would pick a small sized CC perhaps. Or an F. One of the brass quintets I played in recently had a tuba player using a BBb (I was on trombone in that group). He could clearly blow the rest of the group away if he chose to.

Use me as an example. I smoked for many years and finally quit 8 years ago. That for sure messed up my lungs. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, but I clearly don't have the full lung capacity that I would have if I never smoked. I am almost 73. So, I play an Eb tuba. It is a Wessex, Bombino, a 3/4 sized, 4 valve, compensating Eb tuba. I seem to be able to get around on it pretty well and don't have air issues that I know of. I probably have more air issues when I play bass trombone and a composer decides to have the bass trombone play a really low note at triple forte for two full measures in moderate 4/4 time to finish a piece. It also finishes me! I have to breathe half way through, no way I can make it on one breath. And, the younger (40's) 2nd trombone player sitting beside me, who is a really fine bass trombonist (I am sure he is just awaiting my demise so he can grab my chair), told me he would have to breathe in between also, so I felt maybe 20 percent better with that news.

So, to me, its all about what you want to do with a tuba. I suppose even if I just wanted a tuba to noodle around on with no real intention to play it anywhere, I would choose an Eb. Several world class tuba virtuoso players use an Eb tuba. And of course others use other types also. It can be difficult to choose an instrument sometimes, but isn't it delightful that there are so many choices to be had!!??

[massmanute]

Picking a BBb vs an Eb I would think is pretty dependent on what groups you plan/want to play in. If you were going to play in a symphony orchestra or a large wind ensemble/concert band, then I would probably pick a BBb tuba. For orchestra, I would actually pick a full sized or larger BBb or CC tuba. And for the large concert band or wind ensemble, a full sized or larger BBb tuba. BBb and CC tubas have more gravitas and I think are just better choices than Eb or F tubas for big groups. But, if you were to play in a Brass Band, then a BBb or Eb tuba would be equally good choices, as those groups have both of those instruments specifically (usually 2 of each). For much smaller groups, like a brass quintet, I would probably choose an Eb tuba. Or I would pick a small sized CC perhaps. Or an F. One of the brass quintets I played in recently had a tuba player using a BBb (I was on trombone in that group). He could clearly blow the rest of the group away if he chose to.

Use me as an example. I smoked for many years and finally quit 8 years ago. That for sure messed up my lungs. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, but I clearly don't have the full lung capacity that I would have if I never smoked. I am almost 73. So, I play an Eb tuba. It is a Wessex, Bombino, a 3/4 sized, 4 valve, compensating Eb tuba. I seem to be able to get around on it pretty well and don't have air issues that I know of. I probably have more air issues when I play bass trombone and a composer decides to have the bass trombone play a really low note at triple forte for two full measures in moderate 4/4 time to finish a piece. It also finishes me! I have to breathe half way through, no way I can make it on one breath. And, the younger (40's) 2nd trombone player sitting beside me, who is a really fine bass trombonist (I am sure he is just awaiting my demise so he can grab my chair), told me he would have to breathe in between also, so I felt maybe 20 percent better with that news.

So, to me, its all about what you want to do with a tuba. I suppose even if I just wanted a tuba to noodle around on with no real intention to play it anywhere, I would choose an Eb. Several world class tuba virtuoso players use an Eb tuba. And of course others use other types also. It can be difficult to choose an instrument sometimes, but isn't it delightful that there are so many choices to be had!!??

Great info. Thanks.

I envisage three possible scenarios: 1) Playing in a community band composed mostly players of modest skill level. I am currently playing euphonium in the band. We have one tuba player in the band currently (BBb), though his attendance is somewhat spotty. The band is currently not rehearsing due to covid-19 pandemic. 2) Playing at home for my own enjoyment. 3) Joining a traditional jazz band, though I doubt if my skill level would be good enough. 4) Joining a German-style oompah band. There, I said there were three possible scenarios at first, but then I listed four. It sounds like most of my anticipated scenarios would not require a high sound volume, so a big BBb or CC instrument might not be necessary.

By the way, I found a guy on youtube, Kenneth Amis, who plays an Eb compensating tuba. Here's a link where he takes some solos in "Ain't Misbehavin'" . It's with the Empire Brass performing with the US Air Force Band. I found his web page and sent him an email, and he graciously replied almost instantly with some encouraging words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVmZ_op-9Fw