Posted by Bryan on March 02, 2000 at 02:17:46:
In Reply to: Why so many Tubas in a Brass Band posted by Erik on March 02, 2000 at 00:29:20:
A traditional brass band is scored specifically for both Eb and BBb basses (in treble cleff), and often times each part is divided. Very unlike the band music we were raised on, which at best kept all tubas doing little more than octaves. Some of the test pieces we are called on to play are as challenging as anything else, and we do not have the "brass band excerpt books" (maybe they do overseas) from which to study and prepare. It takes true musicianship to make it work well (4 tubas all trying to prove themselves can be a bit much), but the effect can be awesome. Check out some Black Dyke or Williams Fairie CD's and hear what it's all about.