On Jul 24, 2004, at 4:34 PM, Michele Sharik wrote:
Question: why do we say that the Tuba is in Bb, when it's actually in C. I mean, I know that the fundamental of the tuba's tube is Bb, but it's a C instrument, just like bassoon or cello, isn't it? (and unlike the other instruments you mentioned, which transpose)
-Mich�le
We DON'T say the tuba in IN Bb, we only say it's a Bb tuba (I know, sounds like a word game!) It means that the fundamental (open) note is a Bb. There are C tubas, F tubas, and Eb tubas as well (at least!), none of which read transposed parts; they all read in C bass clef (except for British tradition band music, but that's another story.) The players have to learn the new fingerings if they change to an instrument in a new key. Same thing for the trombone, called sometimes a Bb trombone, which reads concert pitch parts, and the Bb euphonium or baritone horn. Also the F and G bass trombones, which read concert pitch parts as well, no matter what the fundamental note of the instrument is.
Christopher
_______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
