Used to a recording of this piece played by its dedicatee John Fletcher with the Stanshawe Band cond by Geoffrey Brand (I think). Even remember the record label; 210 Records. BTW I noticed Tony Swainson (BBC SSO tuba) sitting quietly in the audience to the R of the announcer while he goes on about how "unglamorous" playing the tuba is.
Well played. Curious to know what that instrument is. Eb bass I expect, but fourth valve in unusual position and bell seems to taper out quite early. Does anyone know please?
It's a compensating tuba, patterned after the Boosey and Hawks design. There are extra loops of tubing that come into play when 2 or more valves are mashed at the same time, to "compensate" for the deficit in tubing length when doing that. It helps avoid having to pull a slide to adjust the total length.
Beautiful. Well played and well composed.
Used to a recording of this piece played by its dedicatee John Fletcher with the Stanshawe Band cond by Geoffrey Brand (I think). Even remember the record label; 210 Records. BTW I noticed Tony Swainson (BBC SSO tuba) sitting quietly in the audience to the R of the announcer while he goes on about how "unglamorous" playing the tuba is.
Well played. Curious to know what that instrument is. Eb bass I expect, but fourth valve in unusual position and bell seems to taper out quite early. Does anyone know please?
Yamaha made the 4-in-line like that. I have a Euph similar and may have an EEb coming in soon too.
It's a compensating tuba, patterned after the Boosey and Hawks design. There are extra loops of tubing that come into play when 2 or more valves are mashed at the same time, to "compensate" for the deficit in tubing length when doing that. It helps avoid having to pull a slide to adjust the total length.
I'm no expert on tuba playing at all , but surely the players must have had very strong little fingers to use the fourth valve ?