Re: Switch to Eb, or keep fighting with F


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Posted by Barry Guerrero on November 06, 1999 at 01:15:56:

In Reply to: Switch to Eb, or keep fighting with F posted by Brad on November 05, 1999 at 12:35:43:

There are more than just a few pros playing E-flats - how about an entire country named England for example? Let's be level headed: there are good E-flats, and there are bad ones - just as there are good F's, and bad F's. One reason that the B&H E-flats are so well liked in Britain is they ARE in fact perceived to be of high, and consistant quality.
I would agree with eveyone else in one respect: Be certain of the reason why you would make the switch. However, there are plenty of tubists who can play all of their Berlioz, Mendelssohn, V.W. Concerto, and anything else high on an E-flat. Just be careful not to get caught trying to switch back and forth - you may get confused over the fingerings. Obvioulsy, it would be just like switching back and forth between CC and BBb.
Some people can handle making whole step transpositions - some get confused. Another factor to consider is which tubas you like playing in brass quintets. We've all seen tuba players run the entire range from big CC's, to small Euphoniums in quintets. Personally, I find an Eb, or small CC works for about 85% of all quintet lit. Hope this helps (?). Think it over, then be brave. The main thing is that you like what you're doing. A change in mouthpiece might help but DON'T spend tons of money experimenting, unless you're rich of course.


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