I am copying a piece which uses a "Gros Tuba en Mi b" and a "Tuba in Si b".
As far as I know—very little—the modern tuba is treated as a non-transposing instrument, like the ordinary trombone.
I am using Sibelius and there is no native Tuba in E-flat, so I need to create it.
Looking at the part, it seems that this tuba sounds a minor 3rd above written, is it correct?
For the B-flat one, I could use the Wagnerian Tuba in B-flat. Do you think this is what is intended?
In the end they will both be changed to ordinary tubas, but I need to copy the notes right !
Tuba clarification
Re: Tuba clarification
Oh no, Tuba is *always* written in concert pitch (with the exception of British brass band music).
This does not apply to Wagner Tuben, which are played by Horn players and therefore used to transposing instruments.
This does not apply to Wagner Tuben, which are played by Horn players and therefore used to transposing instruments.
Re: Tuba clarification
Thank you for the quick reaction!
This part is clearly transposed: opening chord is D minor, and there is a written B natural, hence my assumption that it is sounding a minor 3rd above.
It is a Swiss composer, not sure if, at the time (1950s), Swiss orchestras were using British brass transpositions?
From a quick web search, E-flat tubas exist, but I am not understanding much more.
This part is clearly transposed: opening chord is D minor, and there is a written B natural, hence my assumption that it is sounding a minor 3rd above.
It is a Swiss composer, not sure if, at the time (1950s), Swiss orchestras were using British brass transpositions?
From a quick web search, E-flat tubas exist, but I am not understanding much more.
Re: Tuba clarification
Yes, this IS a confusing topic. However, from my understanding, modern tubas can have different tube lengths, and thus different fundamentals, BUT are always written as non-transposing instruments. it is up to the tubist to do the transpositions in their head. and apparently this is more or less second nature to them.
Re: Tuba clarification
I was already impressed by good brass players, now I'm blown away!
Re: Tuba clarification
Yes, tubas in different keys do exist, but they are not transposing instruments (again with the exception of British band music). In other words, players learn different fingerings for different instruments.
Sometimes older music refers to instruments no longer in use (for example the classical Contrabassoon in F), but I don't think this applies to the 1950's. Perhaps this was originally a work for wind band.
Probably a good idea to check in with a tuba player...
Sometimes older music refers to instruments no longer in use (for example the classical Contrabassoon in F), but I don't think this applies to the 1950's. Perhaps this was originally a work for wind band.
Probably a good idea to check in with a tuba player...