Posted by Theory-schmeory on November 27, 2002 at 15:37:20:
In Reply to: What's the lowest non-pedal you can hit? posted by Tom Eshelman on November 27, 2002 at 11:14:13:
1) how often do notes come along that low, say, below EE-flat?? One piece in 10? 20?? Even less often?
2) how often do folks work hard at facility in those depths of tuba-range?
3) how often is that note, even when written in your part really necessary in THAT octave? Now before you get bent and insist "thats what's intended by the composer" ... remember that YOUR part is in relation to the rest of the players in the ensemble. Pedals are often written TWO octaves below the sounded notes of the other low-notes beling played at the same time by other players in the ensemble (well maybe sometimes only one octave.) What will necessarily work? Playing a note well, sounded an octave below the others? Or flapping your lips to an indeterminate tone that even your beloved tuner cannot identify?
Sometimes I think the "how-low-can-you-go" discussions foster testo-driven pride, which said pride may be better founded in being able to walk out of a practice room (where you've worked hard for an hour straight) , and THEN go play your gig and nail your parts with facile chops, musicality, and a sense of flexibility about what your contribution can do to best compliment the ensemble.