Welp! I've gone and done it

[peterbas]

.

[gocsick]

Bb treble clef: read tenor and add two flats.
Eb treble clef: read bass and add three flats.
Accidentals require a bit of memorization.

Never had to read tenor clef, but I guess now I can.

Band director in high school insisted that all baritone/euph players were fluent in both bass and treble clef parts and transposing to/from concert pitch. I really should thank that man, it had been really helpful in everything from playing off trumpet parts to reading lead sheets.

[bloke]

If reading one class and pretending it's another, there's no shame in writing a fingering over a few pitches which might involve a deceptive accidental.

[Mary Ann]

The brass band that I'm in just sort of eased out a newish baritone player because he could not read bass clef -- and wasnt't interested in learning. He would just sit there if his music was in bass clef. If he had bothered to try to learn it, it would have been different. People are strange. Not all music arranged for brass band is in treble clef.

[bloke]

Not all music arranged for brass band is in treble clef.

Chalk it up to my ignorance about so VERY many things, but - actually - I sort of assumed it always is.

...but I'm the "uber-traditionalist" (and tends to assume too much) guy who - were I invited to participate in one - would only consider bringing a full-size English-made B-flat or E-flat top-action tuba (preferably: 4-valve compensating). ...but yes, I could read either clef and play either of those instruments (or - though I only seem to have fairly good luck with REALLY NICE English-style baritones, because the cheapies are so challenging tuning-wise,the euphonium or the baritone...or THIRD cornet...maybe).

[anadmai]

Bass clef: read bass clef.

NEVER!!! LOL.

[anadmai]

The brass band that I'm in just sort of eased out a newish baritone player because he could not read bass clef -- and wasnt't interested in learning. He would just sit there if his music was in bass clef. If he had bothered to try to learn it, it would have been different. People are strange. Not all music arranged for brass band is in treble clef.

What?!? Brass Band music should only have ONE Bass Clef part, and that's the Bass Trombone. To be pushed out of a traditional British Brass band because someone doesn't read bass clef is a shame. 2nd Baritones of the world unite!! (We have lots of time because we have all the rests).

[anadmai]

...but I'm the "uber-traditionalist" (and tends to assume too much) guy who - were I invited to participate in one - would only consider bringing a full-size English-made B-flat or E-flat top-action tuba (preferably: 4-valve compensating). ...but yes, I could read either clef and play either of those instruments (or - though I only seem to have fairly good luck with REALLY NICE English-style baritones, because the cheapies are so challenging tuning-wise,the euphonium or the baritone...or THIRD cornet...maybe).

If you're the "Uber-traditionalist" I will have add a few Ubers to the front of yours. I am proud to call myself a British Brass Band snob. (Still refuse to consider French Horns as real brass instruments, trumpets are stupid, and Eb alto horns are creepy but still better than a French Horn any day of the week). My daughter is starting to play baritone/euphonium and I am making the school teach her Treble Clef. There will be more opportunities for her reading Treble Clef as a euphonium player as compared to Bass Clef. She's a cello player. She can read bass clef there. She's a piano player. She can read both clefs. For wind related instruments she can read Treble. There is a reason why the euph part for concert band comes in both clefs. That's because of the British history behind the instrument and composers like Leidzen and others in the early 1900s who were staring to be huge in teh American band scene. Being a bass clef only euphonium player is a dead end.

I can transpose. I do not write in the fingerings no matter what. Still. British Brass Band music does not belong in Bass Clef... unless you're the bass trombone player..and I now know why they're always crabby.

This is a hill I'm prepared to die on. The view is rather lovely. *sips tea*


And speaking of really nice English Style Baritones, here is a photo of my band room. Margaret is my Sterling Virtuoso and she's a lovely British lass.

My band room

IMG_2572 Medium.jpeg (106.92 KiB) Viewed 615 times

[bloke]

Good on ya and I've never had an opportunity to play in such a band, but - given the opportunity -I would show up with the proper instrument.

The only time I might write in a fingering would be when stumbling across a double sharp in the original clef - or something like that. Practice makes perfect.

[anadmai]

Good on ya and I've never had an opportunity to play in such a band, but - given the opportunity -I would show up with the proper instrument.

Like people who show up to brass band rehearsal with C or F or Tubas(won't even call them Basses) in the key of something other than what should be played in a Brass Band.



Have I made all the friends yet?

[bloke]

You're friends with me...but (then again) no one likes me, so...


Hey...speaking of NOTHING that has anything to do with this...
I just smoothed out the (badly-dented) bell bow of an early 1960's Selmer, Paris trumpet...and (not only that, but) made the tubing through the bow ROUND (rather than "factory oval"). The guy (fine player) left really happy, so I'm happy...while drinking my mid-afternoon coffee, and checking back in...

It was one of these...same model that Don Goldie (for anyone who is old enough to recognize the "Jackie Gleason theme") played...

[anadmai]

Hey...speaking of NOTHING that has anything to do with this...

SQUIRREL!!

[PlayTheTuba]

Good on ya and I've never had an opportunity to play in such a band, but - given the opportunity -I would show up with the proper instrument.

Like people who show up to brass band rehearsal with C or F or Tubas(won't even call them Basses) in the key of something other than what should be played in a Brass Band.

Well at least Eb's of certain sizes sound are tuba-"lite" in sound. I was going to write something longer but eh. At least most (I wonder if anyone still makes new GG thingamajigies) tubas are in flat keys

BUT to hijack this thread a bit...

"uber-traditionalist"

You hear that Salvation Army "Truimphonic" tuba! There's hope for you yet! Surly, the English have remained steadfast and still tune there instruments super low, especially BASSES. Afterall, Bassey basses bass because they based

Seeing as the SA Tuba was made in England, by Englishmen, paired with a made in England mouthpiece ie the Denis Wick 2 "Heritage" - oof, getting real proper now aren't we? Afterall, the only way to enjoy things is the way that the people who popularized it is the way that it should remain.

All this "clef" talk, that's just asking for treble. It's not like groups or traditions have "evolved" somewhat, with beeeeg 's and tuning to 440-443 Hertz (who does that?). Small tuba shank, or even smaller () is the truest way. Yup,

Note, in all seriousness, if anyone does not appreciate what I wrote above I'll gladly edit my comment and apologize for it. Again, even though I may at my own humor, that doesn't mean everyone else will.

Below if for folks like me who appreciate some photos of tubas

Plus, considering how flat this tuba and how it's going to require major surgery to get it to be in A=440, I guess I'll keep it at home as a backup tuba in the key of "D." Although some people have mentioned I should use it as a garden ornament

Plus, even though my tuba is maaaybe bigger than the 3+1 non-comp Eb that Eastman (since it says it is a "3/4" tuba on their website), both Eastman and Jupiter make 3+1 non-comp Effers with small bells, if I really want one. Always nice to have options. Probably way better in tune too.

The pictures below don't have plastic extensions I made by hand with a lot of masking tape over them.

SA Tuba logo
https://i.imgur.com/SGsLF5k.jpg

Kelly X-Small with small shank and Denis Wick 2. The Kellyberg uses the same outer shell design.
https://i.imgur.com/x2T9LAg.jpg

All 3 mouthpieces
https://i.imgur.com/i9O3SCS.jpg

Denis Wick 2 mouthpiece in the receiver
https://i.imgur.com/ztY0mRs.jpg

Kelly X-Small plus small shank
https://i.imgur.com/yMoDIGa.jpg

SA Tuba Front 01
https://i.imgur.com/Hd6Szkq.jpg

SA Tuba Front 02
https://i.imgur.com/PtZKDQ0.jpg

SA Tuba Front angled
https://i.imgur.com/g2UqELs.jpg

SA Tuba Back 01
https://i.imgur.com/gJUphwm.jpg

SA Tuba Back 02
https://i.imgur.com/5wx0RUv.jpg

SA Tuba Back angled
https://i.imgur.com/diNtBEM.jpg


--------------------

The room temperature is about 68-69 degrees Fahrenheit. If judging A=440hz at around 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit.


Eb below staff at 440hz, DW2 mouthpiece
https://i.imgur.com/Q5TctY0.jpg

Bb in staff at 440hz, DW2 mouthpiece
https://i.imgur.com/CDG24LU.jpg

Eb in staff at 440hz, DW2 mouthpiece
https://i.imgur.com/hM0jZXv.jpg

Eb above staff at 440hz, DW2 mouthpiece
https://i.imgur.com/vRdLVfZ.jpg


---- Tuner set to 432hz

Tuner set at 432hz, Eb below staff. Forgot which mouthpiece I used
https://i.imgur.com/yZ8A3gw.jpg

432hz, Bb in staff. Forgot which mouthpiece I used
https://i.imgur.com/6qrAovc.jpg

I decided not to let the pictures appear here, my post is already obnoxiously long as it is. Oh, and the thermostat is set lower than what it was when I took the photos that day.

And again, congrats @anadmai with your tuba, may it bring you joy to the end of time.

[Mary Ann]

For some, playing in a brass band is the opportunity to play some really neat music. For others, it seems to be some kind of religion, complete with commandments and sacrilege. I'm basically not religious.
I believe there are brass bands in the US that DO use "French" horns, although the one I'm in is not one of them. We do however, have a CC on the BBb part. We used to have a CC on the Eb part, back when I was playing one.
No fighting!! --

[bloke]

LOL...

There is a community band (which I've mentioned quite a few times) which welcomes me sitting in rehearsals.

There have been as many as four tuba people, but - lately - they're down to one (who is a good player).
That person can't always come, and - particularly when
- that person can't be at a particular (Monday) rehearsal, and
- I'm in town on one Monday a month for the benefit of Mrs. bloke...
...with all those things overlapping...

...I make a point of showing up and providing ~a~ tuba.

Last week, the director called up "Irish Tune".

I had grabbed all four of the "TUBA" folders from the milk crate, but (nope) it wasn't in any of those folders.

We've all (yes?) played it a number of times...

Speaking to "I'm not playing if the proper part isn't furnished", there are just some things that many of us can completely play without sheet music (probably - a bunch of marches), and a few other things (such as this piece). I managed to "fake" through it twice, and without the director looking "back there...Did I mostly remember correctly, or - mostly - was he being polite?"

[BRS]

.

[PlayTheTuba]

Wish I could find a Salvation Army "Triumphonic" 4v Eb bass in good shape. I have couple others of theirs.

Well if you happen to be coming to NERTEC (super close to me)

https://iteaonline.org/conferences/nertec-2024/

or to next years Army Band Workshop hosted in Northern Virginia, your welcome to have the one I have. With discussions of course and if the condition of the tuba seems reasonable to you.