The Wagner Tuba comes in two species: Bb-(tenor)-tuba equal in range to Bb-horn, but has a fourth valve of a Fourth, to bridge for the lowest octave, where it crawls rarely, but good for low c (below 4rth ledger line below staff) and the F-(basso)-tuba equal in range to the plain F-horn, but also has a 4rth valve for the better intonation of "d" (on 4rth ledger line below staff) and the gap in the lowest octave, where it crawls occasionally. There is also the full double tuba F/Bb & the compensating F/Bb tuba, some hybrid instruments, which are equal in range to the regular double F/Bb. These double-tubas lack all the typical characteristics of the distinct tuba sound of tenor respectively basso tuba.
As the tubas are not played with the hand inside the bell, as we are used from our horn, they bring some intonation problems, which can be compensated by special experience with these instruments. As the bell of the tuba is quite near to the players ear, the effect (intonation) is even stronger. Playing in the section requires special care for the balance of all four players, but not in a way that all sound with equal strength, no, it requires that certain notes of the chords are stronger or less strong. If one cares for that, the chords will be sound in tune. Example: in Elektra the dominating note shifts around from player to player. That is the special trick. ============================================================================================================= -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von Steve Freides Gesendet: Donnerstag, 7. Mai 2009 03:02 An: The Horn List Betreff: [Hornlist] Wagner Tuba - range One of my students, who had seen both a Wagner opera and Bruckner symphony within the past week, mistakenly assumed I knew something about Wagner Tubas. I don't, so we looked online together and learned a few things. The one thing I wasn't sure of was the register - we found mention of a Bb and an "F basso" - are both of these an octave _lower_ than a normal French Horn? I had assumed that the register was the same and not lower. A short list of what's the same and what's different would be great, assuming a Bb/F double Wagner tuba. Thanks in advance. -S- _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/hans%40pizka.de _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
