Posted by Chris Hall on October 19, 1999 at 10:21:44:
In Reply to: 6/4 sound on a 4/4 posted by John Hreha on October 18, 1999 at 16:45:00:
Yes, it is possible. Gene Pokorny played on a 4/4 Hirsbrunner when he was in the St. Louis Symphony, and if you listen to recordings of St. Louis at that time, you will know that it is possible ( examples: Prokofiev's 5th Symphony & Shostakovich's 5th Symphony, both conducted by Slatkin on RCA). Also, in the auditions for the MET Opera Orchestra, out of 10 finalists, only 2 or 3 tubists playing 6/4 horns, and ( I think ) 2 5/4 players, the rest being 4/4 tubas. Keep in mind that these auditions were held completely behind the screen. I am not trying to say that 4/4 tubas are better, just that it is possible to get a full sound on smaller tubas.
All the advice given by BBS users so far is "Right on, Bro!" Just relax and use your imagination to create the sound you are after.
Enjoy, CJH