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Re: Aw jees Norm...

On 16 Jun, Adrian J. Raven <aj.raven@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> What the hell is this "single Bb tuba"? 
> I thought the Euphonium was a "single Bb" and what many people refer to
> as a "single B" was just a 3/4 size BBb. 
> Single or double B refers to the pitch does it not? This has been a
> misnomer for years.

> Any thoughts?

Yes Adrian, there is a lot of confusion regarding the pitch of brass
instruments.

The Wagner tubas were built in the same pitches as the french horns, ie,
Bb and F. The Bb (or single B) is the same tube length as the euphonium
and the F is the same length as the relatively modern F (symphonic) tuba
(or euph when the 4th valve is pressed). I believe that modern Wagner
tubas combine the two pitches in one instrument with the aid of a 4th
valve, just the same as does the double horn in F and Bb, though I'm not
sure what kind of system they use.

Still confused? Well if it's any consolation, even Wagner himself could
not make up his mind what pitch he should write his tubas in. He
apparently changed the transposition of both his tubas half way through
his Ring Cycle, so the players had to learn two sets of fingering.

BBb (or double B) refers to the full size (contrabass) tuba. So the single
Bb tuba that Alastair is refering to is actually the same length as the
euph.

There is similar confusion between the names that the Brits attach to
their instruments and the labels used in parts of Europe and America. eg:

Sopranino saxhorn = Soprano Cornet
Soprano saxhorn = (Bb) Cornet (or alto)
Alto saxhorn = Tenor Horn
Tenor saxhorn = Baritone
Baritone saxhorn = Euphonium = Tenor Tuba (same pitch as the Baritone)
Bass Saxhorn = Eb Bass
Contrabass Saxhorn = BBb Bass

If you more confused now than you were before, I'm not at all surprised.
I don't understand how a 3/4 size BBb can still be pitched in Bb, unless
this refers to the bore size rather than tube length.

Adrian ;-)

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