Re: Tuba solo w/ jazz band


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Posted by jeff on November 11, 2003 at 17:49:53:

In Reply to: Tuba solo w/ jazz band posted by Matt Buck on November 11, 2003 at 17:35:55:

Hi, Matt.

First of all, it great that you're getting a chance to play tuba in a jazz band. There's alot to be learned from doing that, such as time, feel, articulation, rhythm, etc, etc, etc.

There are many great solo pieces out there for various saxes, trumpet, or trombone, as opposed to a few (if any) bad pieces for solo tuba. Learning music originally intended for other instruments is a necessity in learning to play the tuba well.

If I were you, I'd find a good solo piece for some other instrument which is technically within reach for you to play on the tuba. This will require you to adapt the solo part so that you can play it on the tuba. You may need to play most of it an octave or three lower than the original. You may need to simplify some of the trickier fast licks, etc. The important thing is to make the tune sound like it makes sense on the tuba. This is a great chance to be creative and have some fun learning more about the tuba and music in general.

You'd probably have an easier time if you looked for a ballad originally written to feature bari sax, trombone, or bass. There will be plenty of those in your band director's catalogues.

Good luck,

Jeff Miller


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