The Wagner Tuba: More Resistance than I thought!
After my last post concerning the Wagner Tuba, I was met with some pretty rough opposition from local readers. It makes me unhappy to hear such things because I believe that the only reason the instrument is not used more often is the extreme lack of experience with the tuba itself; And when very learned people and outstanding musicians ridicule my support of the instrument it is extremely confusing.
The general impression of the Wagner tuba that is still current is of an outdated museum piece, and it is often the butt of caricature. Many hornists also have a problematical relationship with the instrument and do not normally like to play them. The Wagner tuba has a negative reputation of being hard to play and having intonational difficulties, but this stems purely from unfamiliarity with the instrument which can be the result of infrequent usage.
Think about this one guys…
Stravinsky, Bruckner, Wagner, Holst, and Schoenberg all used this wonderful instrument.
You can argue with me over it, but could you argue with them?
Just a thought.
October 20, 2008 at 3:24 am
Joshua, I believe the reason that the Wagner Tuba is not played more is because it does not have much solo music written for it and they are so damned expensive. A good one from Europe costs $8000. Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch. Takes all the fun out of playing it. In terms of playability. Ha, it is easier to play than the French Horn. Less resistance and the high range is easier too. The intonation problems were probably with older instruments. The new horns should tune beautifully. I use a system prescribed by Vern Reynolds formerly of Eastman. So people don’t play them because they cost too much and they are not readily available and there are not too many parts for them. I am working on all of these problems. Once they are solved, if it still does not take off then there is really no excuse.