Should I Purchase a Bb Tuba or a C Tuba? Featuring Chuck Kerrigan

This Video is Part 2 of a larger video series in which we are joined by Eastman Low Brass Products Manager, Chuck Kerrigan! In this series, we will discuss some of the most common questions regarding Tubas, Baritones, Euphoniums, and all things Low Brass!
In the previous video, Kris and Chuck talked about some of the differences that define Bb and C Tubas. In this Video, we will talk about some of the decisions that go into choosing and potentially purchasing a Bb or C Tuba!

[@jerrybyers2172]

The BBb tuba is a little easier to finger in keys with a bunch of flats, while the CC tuba is easier in keys with several sharps. The CC tuba is used a lot in orchestras, while the BBb tuba is more commonly used in bands, due to the keys used in one or the other group.

[@musicmaninc4305]

Appreciate the extra insight for any viewers!

[@gustru2078]

"Used alot" is an overstatement to me. If by alot, you mean a couple of pouets every 10 minutes, then sure. I prefer playing in a group that doesn't have violins. Only Brass, woodwinds, percs (that includes piano). The only violins accepted are the contrabasses :) To me, the C tuba (According to what I hear since I don't have one) sounds a little more "blasty". It seems alot easier to blast the crap out of the instrument and get this deeply annoying metallic sound. It's just not enjoyable to hear but heh, I'm not a pro so maybe it's just me. Anyway, the C in a C tuba stands for "cheater" hehehehe In short, to me, the B flat tuba has alot more projection potential while the C tuba produces a thinner and piercing sound. Also, absolutely no one uses those for marching. If you want to see and hear something really cool, look up Carolina Crown 2013 here on youtube and click the first result

[@jerrybyers2172]

@@gustru2078 By "used a lot", I meant "used by a lot of players". Yeah, old time orchestra music written before 1843 had no tuba parts because there were no tubas. But in order to play a tuba in a major orchestra, you'd have to do an audition in competition with about 1,000 other tuba player wannabe's. And the conductors are very picky about the sound of a tuba. The piercing sound at high volume is what they want. So a 6/4 size CC tuba with 5 valves and a bore size of .835 to .846, and a 500 mm bell is expected.

[@JfarmFS]

I like the CC tuba because of it richer sound

[@Aardvark892]

Wait, did he say that some C tubas have a thumb valve that can change it to a BBb? Did I understand that right? Man, I'm glad to hear that if it is true... I've been agonizing whether or not to buy a C or BBb, and that will definitely help me decide.

[@nickhoule2250]

sadly no, the valve lowers it a flat whole step, so it would make every fingering equivalent to an “A tuba”

[@moist_soup7215]

Haha funny big guy play tuba