Posted by AW on October 27, 2002 at 13:06:43:
In Reply to: Re: Eb fingerings posted by Chuck(G) on October 27, 2002 at 11:57:30:
I'll endorse the view that each instrument has to be learned individually. When I switched from a 3-valve BBb to a 3-valve Eb, I learned it as a different instrument, but I took advantage of "muscle memory" in that my fingers could move in familiar patterns, although playing different pitches. More recently, switching to a 5-valve CC tuba, I had to learn different associations of fingerings and notes (easy to do), and learn different patterns of operating the valves (not as easy). For me, the switch from three valves to five was more work than the switch of instrument pitch. Occasionally, I still toot my ancient (and battered) 3-valve Eb tuba, and sometimes my fingers will reach for a valve that isn't there.
One thing that adds to difficulty is the differing intonation quirks among tubas. Learning how to play a particular horn well in tune seems to be even more of a challenge than learning its fingerings.