If you play a Wagnertuba the way most people play the Horn today (and they press a lot of air through the instrument), the Wagnertuba tends to blair too loud. So the approach is quite different. As the holding position is different also, one has to hold he WT in a way, that the axle through mouth & lead pipe is NOT bent, a position quite not so comfortable.
Yes, intonation is different & somewhat problematic due to the open bell- One has to use some alternative fingerings when playing certain chords. Some malers tried to make the WT with a much wider bell like a tenorhorn to get an easier intonation, but ruined all the sound colours so important for the WT. The double tuba produced by Alexander is a versatile instrument but lacks all characteristics of both the F & the Bb tuba, which were built with different bell dimensions, the F much wider than the Bb. The WT is not a solo instrument, beeing played for a concerto with orchestra accompaniment, while there is a concerto by Jan Koetsier, who has composed a lot for horn. The euphonium or the tenor horn would be a much better choice as solo instrument. If I would be a composer, I would refran from composing a solo for the rather clumsy WT but use it in a set of two or four to express certain serenity, solemn impressions, ferocity, etc. according to the examples set by R.Wagner, R.Strauss, A.Bruckner & a lot of soundtrack composers. ============================================================ ============================================================ ========================== -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Robson Adabo de Mello Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:59 PM To: The Horn List Subject: [Hornlist] Wagner Tuba Hello Guys I'm a trumpet player, so if some of my questions are too basic I need to say "I'm sorry". - Is it much different to play a french horn and wagner tuba? - The wagner tuba has a problematic intonation or it's just different from the horn because it has a open bell? - The Alexander is the most used brand of wagner tuba? The model 110 is Bb/F or F/Bb? -Is there any solo video or CD with Wagner tuba? (When I say solo I mean in front of the orchestra) Thank you very much Robson _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/hans%40pizka. de _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
