Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
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Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
So.. this is speaking generally to the audience member tubist being that they are either listening to a recording, or sitting with a live audience. Can you all tell whether a tubist is playing an Eb or F tuba as their bass instrument. Asking as someone who only wants to own three tubas tops-
A big ol’ contrabass
My Bruckner
Some kind of smaller fun to play bass tuba that can be used for solo work, quintet (if needed) and orchestra for the higher range pieces.
Lately I’ve been playing on an Eb and had forgotten how much I enjoy playing them. I’d want a smaller bell Eb 4-5 valve version.
A big ol’ contrabass
My Bruckner
Some kind of smaller fun to play bass tuba that can be used for solo work, quintet (if needed) and orchestra for the higher range pieces.
Lately I’ve been playing on an Eb and had forgotten how much I enjoy playing them. I’d want a smaller bell Eb 4-5 valve version.
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
It Depends. I think a classic Besson Eb is going to have a distinctive presence, but a miraphone Norwegian star might sound closer to a 184 or a large F.
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
The problem is that most of the in-tune E-flat tubas’ (some of those which are top-action) sounds bounces off the back of the shell.
Bruckner 4…??
F tuba, unless someone is seeking a nice open (usually, quite sharp - whether B-flat or C tuba) double low C (or omit it, as in some editions).
Bruckner 7…??
not F tuba (not even so-called “6/4” F tubas).
Bruckner 4…??
F tuba, unless someone is seeking a nice open (usually, quite sharp - whether B-flat or C tuba) double low C (or omit it, as in some editions).
Bruckner 7…??
not F tuba (not even so-called “6/4” F tubas).
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
I play Eb for band and quintet. My Eb of choice for band is a Kanstil 66t. Nice round full sound that can keep up to a small band. If paired with a BBb player, I can play the upper parts and add a new dimension to the band sound and we can handle a medium sized band. Polkas are more interesting with the high part being played. For quintet I play a Miraphone Starlight. The brighter character of this horn really shines in quintet or solo work.
Brian
Woodbury, MN
1892 Courtiere (J.W. Pepper Import) Helicon Eb
1980's Yamaha 321 euphonium
2007 Miraphone 383 Starlight
2010 Kanstul 66T
2016 Bubbie Mark 5
Woodbury, MN
1892 Courtiere (J.W. Pepper Import) Helicon Eb
1980's Yamaha 321 euphonium
2007 Miraphone 383 Starlight
2010 Kanstul 66T
2016 Bubbie Mark 5
- Casca Grossa
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
I have had a project in the shop for a while now that I am hoping comes out nice. I have two old, Cerveny stenciled, 4 rotary valve Eb tubas that will become one 5 valve Eb. They are both small tubas that look very similar to my Miraphone 184. Intonation in the low end is a bit funky and needs a 5th valve at least. Otherwise, both horns have a super easy and powerful low end and nimble upper range. The sound is more like a small f tuba. I'm really looking forward to the competion of this project. The donor horns didn't cost me much so I think I should be pleasantly surprised no matter the outcome. The horn as is would probably make it difficult for the listener to determine whether it is in Eb or F. It definitely has enough power to carry in a full orchestral setting.
Mirafone 184 CC
Blokepiece Imperial
Soon to be 5 valve Lignatone/Amati Eb
Blokepiece Solo
Blokepiece Imperial
Soon to be 5 valve Lignatone/Amati Eb
Blokepiece Solo
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
4+4=5 ? Huh, I'm confused...Casca Grossa wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:49 am I have had a project in the shop for a while now that I am hoping comes out nice. I have two old, Cerveny stenciled, 4 rotary valve Eb tubas that will become one 5 valve Eb. They are both small tubas that look very similar to my Miraphone 184. Intonation in the low end is a bit funky and needs a 5th valve at least. Otherwise, both horns have a super easy and powerful low end and nimble upper range. The sound is more like a small f tuba. I'm really looking forward to the competion of this project. The donor horns didn't cost me much so I think I should be pleasantly surprised no matter the outcome. The horn as is would probably make it difficult for the listener to determine whether it is in Eb or F. It definitely has enough power to carry in a full orchestral setting.
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
To my ears, there's a substantial difference in the amount of fundamental produced between Eb and F tubas. F tubas just sound like the alto voice to me; not suitable for providing the bass role. While Eb doesn't compare to CC in that respect, it provides a more credible case than F.
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- windshieldbug (Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:13 pm)
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
This ^^. Pretty much what I would write. Fs also "play more differently" than Ebs do, compared to contrabasses, and they still have an easy high range.
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
Are the differences in sound and playing due to more than just the difference in length? Are most Eb tubas intended to have more of a contrabass voice, to intentionally contrast with the way F tubas are used?
Last edited by jtm on Fri Sep 01, 2023 11:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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This practicing trick actually seems to be working!
playing some old German rotary tubas for free
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playing some old German rotary tubas for free
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
It would be interesting to test the change in a F tuba when fitted with a longer main tuning slide and valve slides pulled for playing in Eb. I have a C/Bb saxhorn (tuning slide insert) which totally changes character in the two tunings. The same I had when I lowered the pitch of my tenor guitar a half step for playing a duet with a flute in a perfect easy key. It sounded completely different. (I play normally it a whole step lower than standard - Bb tenor guitar!)
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
8 valve Eb? Maybe I should try it.York-aholic wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 12:31 pm4+4=5 ? Huh, I'm confused...Casca Grossa wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:49 am I have had a project in the shop for a while now that I am hoping comes out nice. I have two old, Cerveny stenciled, 4 rotary valve Eb tubas that will become one 5 valve Eb. They are both small tubas that look very similar to my Miraphone 184. Intonation in the low end is a bit funky and needs a 5th valve at least. Otherwise, both horns have a super easy and powerful low end and nimble upper range. The sound is more like a small f tuba. I'm really looking forward to the competion of this project. The donor horns didn't cost me much so I think I should be pleasantly surprised no matter the outcome. The horn as is would probably make it difficult for the listener to determine whether it is in Eb or F. It definitely has enough power to carry in a full orchestral setting.
Mirafone 184 CC
Blokepiece Imperial
Soon to be 5 valve Lignatone/Amati Eb
Blokepiece Solo
Blokepiece Imperial
Soon to be 5 valve Lignatone/Amati Eb
Blokepiece Solo
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
How many valves did Dr. Young’s tuba have?
It must have been pretty heavy.
It must have been pretty heavy.
Some old Yorks, Martins, and perhaps a King rotary valved CC
Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
In my whereabouts, I experienced the benefits of a duo of excellent Eb and BBb teaming up in a wind ensemble.
The instruments were one Willson rotary BBb and an old Besson Eb (exact Type unknown), in the hands of very well trained teenage players.
These guys would strategically divide parts among them.
When it came to super low and loud playing, notes between contra-Eb down to subcontra-B were often assigned to the Eb guy, who would just shake the stage using his pedal register. The BBb-person would just assist to facilitate breathing in those cases.
The latter guy´s places to shine were at contra-E and above as well as subcontra-Bb and below, when the stuffiness of the compensated Eb would kick in.
Their teamwork concerning phrasing was something to behold, either.
At passages of crescendos and all kinds of other situations there were elaborate markings as to who would pause when for breath and who would play a technical phrase on his own in order to enhance clarity out front. Lots of good ideas to pick up...
These people used mouthpieces to match tone colour of bass and contrabass tuba as much as possible, which is within reach for a team of Eb and BBb or CC, but rather not for F and a contrabass tuba.
The instruments were one Willson rotary BBb and an old Besson Eb (exact Type unknown), in the hands of very well trained teenage players.
These guys would strategically divide parts among them.
When it came to super low and loud playing, notes between contra-Eb down to subcontra-B were often assigned to the Eb guy, who would just shake the stage using his pedal register. The BBb-person would just assist to facilitate breathing in those cases.
The latter guy´s places to shine were at contra-E and above as well as subcontra-Bb and below, when the stuffiness of the compensated Eb would kick in.
Their teamwork concerning phrasing was something to behold, either.
At passages of crescendos and all kinds of other situations there were elaborate markings as to who would pause when for breath and who would play a technical phrase on his own in order to enhance clarity out front. Lots of good ideas to pick up...
These people used mouthpieces to match tone colour of bass and contrabass tuba as much as possible, which is within reach for a team of Eb and BBb or CC, but rather not for F and a contrabass tuba.
Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
I experienced the same benefits while being part of such a duo in our regional amateur symphonic wind orchestra 15-20 years ago.
I had the BBb part (New Standard Besson 3+1 comp 17" bell, DW 1XL) and my colleague did the Eb part (Besson Sovereign, 19", DW3). That was the perfect match for all div. parts (fourth, fifth and octaves) and we knew blindly who could take which part better. We still meet from time to time, he is now a community band conductor.
Regarding the topic, for wind bands the F-Tuba alone is not the right tool for all pieces if not supported by a contrabass tuba or at least a contrabass. Whereas I suppose a modern 19" Eb to be very suitable. But in general wind bands require more than one tuba.
In my current orchestra I am the one to switch to F for special occasions/pieces of music and my colleague takes the BBb part. Our last church concert was 50/50 BBb/BBb and BBb/F, both classic german style rotary instruments.
I had the BBb part (New Standard Besson 3+1 comp 17" bell, DW 1XL) and my colleague did the Eb part (Besson Sovereign, 19", DW3). That was the perfect match for all div. parts (fourth, fifth and octaves) and we knew blindly who could take which part better. We still meet from time to time, he is now a community band conductor.
Regarding the topic, for wind bands the F-Tuba alone is not the right tool for all pieces if not supported by a contrabass tuba or at least a contrabass. Whereas I suppose a modern 19" Eb to be very suitable. But in general wind bands require more than one tuba.
In my current orchestra I am the one to switch to F for special occasions/pieces of music and my colleague takes the BBb part. Our last church concert was 50/50 BBb/BBb and BBb/F, both classic german style rotary instruments.
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
Naw, F and Eb are sonically close enough. Pickup whatever you have the best chops (or find the best deal) on!
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
It seems to me that the design of the instrument might have as much or more to do with sound perception in the audience as difference in length.
Do you agree or disagree:
A 2250 sounds more similar to a 981 than it does a Symphonie or PT (or more like a small CC). Conversely, a Norwegian Star sounds more like a Symphonie or PT than it does a 981.
Or put another way:
A 2250 could pass (aurally) for an Eb (or maybe a small CC), and a NS could pass for an F. Yes? No?
Do you agree or disagree:
A 2250 sounds more similar to a 981 than it does a Symphonie or PT (or more like a small CC). Conversely, a Norwegian Star sounds more like a Symphonie or PT than it does a 981.
Or put another way:
A 2250 could pass (aurally) for an Eb (or maybe a small CC), and a NS could pass for an F. Yes? No?
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
it seems to me that the design of the instrument might have as much or more to do with sound perception in the audience as difference in length.
The rest is the player. In the right hands even a smallish F can sound bigger than a more-than-average-sized contrabass tuba with an average player
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
On a similar note, a big EEb bass can "sing" like a nimble f tuba in the right handsSnake Charmer wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:06 amit seems to me that the design of the instrument might have as much or more to do with sound perception in the audience as difference in length.
The rest is the player. In the right hands even a smallish F can sound bigger than a more-than-average-sized contrabass tuba with an average player
Wibbly wobbly, tubaly woobaly . . . stuff
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
music director:
tuba
tuba
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Re: Eb vs F tuba in an orchestra to the tubists ears
Wibbly wobbly, tubaly woobaly . . . stuff