The UK's series of Brass Band Regional Championships kicked off this weekend. In the North West area (Lancashire, Cheshire and bits of Cumbria) we (Foden's) were placed first in the Top Section for the 8th year running. We'd already pre qualified for the finals anyway, but the piece is of interest t...

The best Tuba parts exist in the Brass Band repertoire

In (semi) defence, surely you can't have double whole?? Whole is, well, whole? and a 1/128th?? Get a grip!

I think people who really hate mutes either have tubas that aren't very suited to mutes or have mutes that aren't really suited to their tubas. It's kind of fun to play the tuba with a really good mute that works with a tuba. I hate mutes. We have 3 different performances in the next month alone wi...

As a former member of Besses, they admoitted women in the late 1980's. I was a member of Faireys in 2000-2004, and they only admitted women after that!

Whereas Foden's (Where I was in the 1990-94 time, as now) already had women when I joined.

I have a pivot/shift. Covers about 4 notes depending on articulation/volume required. It's always worked for me.

[ If we're guessing the the rest of the instrument's taper has not been changed (not known, obviously), I wonder if the bell size alters intonation characteristics, and if (??) the entire bell is larger, and not just the horizontal flare. With most all of the old 17"-bell Edgware ones, the onl...

If they DID start making these again, or a modern manufacturer off this design, 3+1 with 19" bell, it would be the best compensator around bar none. I have the Imperial version of this, but nowhere near as pretty. But the sound and tuning are fantastic. If it had a 19" bell I'd use it more...

BramJ wrote: ↑Thu Oct 26, 2023 2:07 am The imperials and 992 have the "inner upper bow" above the valve cluster, right? like the Yamaha Neo

That's correct, with a false handbrace

Imperial/New standard etc up to late 70's/early 80's
992 from early 80's
994 late 80's
994GS late 90's on
recent ones no idea!

Imps/992 best IMHO, but a good early 994 is better than any of the shorter fatter ones (GS onwards)

HI, slightly biased here, but if I were buying a new set today, I'd go Neo all the way. Late 80's/early 90's EEb and BBb were the very best, before they moved away from the models based on the Imperials. Over here there's a clamour for 19" bell Imperial versions of both flavours. But new, off t...

Hi Andy, could you share your thoughts about the Yamaha Neo BBb? I might be playing the BBb part again in one of the next seasons, but not on a Besson, because it breaks my back. I would love to bring my kaiser BBb, however, having played euphonium for over 20 years, and currently playing a B&H...

BRILLIANT!!! There you have it folks. Andy, Thanks for posting this. and I very much enjoyed the post of your band doing a stand up concert a year or so ago. Your bass section is SUPERB. Best, Ed Of course, you SHOULD like Foden's... you're nearly one of us! https://www.fodensbandheritage.co.uk/abo...

I'm nearly 40 years into the "tradition", having been a member of several "famous" bands: Besses o'th' Barn, Faireys. Brighouse and Rastrick and Foden's. twice! At Foden's we have 2 Yamaha's (BBb) and 2 Besson EEb in the section. Personally, I've tried many different tubas in bra...

Foden's programmes this weekend (Coronation weekend over here) and one from last weekend. Sandbach Sports stadium fireworks concert Saturday night: 1. In the Stone – EWF arr Barber 2. Nessun Dorma – Puccini arr Snell 3. Ice Castles – Hamlisch & Bayer-Sager 4. California Dreamin’ – Philips &a...

Late 70's 19" Bell Imperial BBb. Satin.

Merry Christmas, for 4 BBb Tubas! Ho Ho!

Hi all,

If you want to see a lockdown recital by some of the finest British brass players of the London Symphony, including Ben Thomson on tuba, go to this playlist. Excellent playing all round. Great programme too!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... tVxZfGvROp

Foden's Bass section with James Gourlay