Big Horns in Small Ensembles


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Posted by Tony E on April 23, 2002 at 00:17:10:

I’m sometimes a bit confused when I hear players saying this or that horn is too big for a quintet or chamber ensemble. I know it’s a bit of a different technique, but I’ve played a number of large tuba’s that were surprisingly easy to work with in small ensembles with regard to dynamics/levels, and were also quite agile. To me, there is something magical about the quality of sound produced by a large horn, and the sense of effortless reserve that the big horns convey. Many times, it’s not just what is heard, but what is felt. I’m not talking right or wrong here, just artistic tone concept. Does anyone else out there like using a large horn in a quintet or chamber setting? Any favorite players out there using large horns in smaller venues? Any large tuba’s you’ve found particularly well suited/responsive to smaller ensemble settings?

Tony E



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