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Color. A word we so often use to describe tubas that have an extra something something to the sound.


What does it mean?

I've read in the older forum where a german user stated that American tubists have great sound but they restrict themselves from bringing the color out.

Does this mean edge to the tone?

To me I had always felt that color described how the note grew and decayed on a tuba not necessarily having to be played with edge but a fully support tone.

Thoughts?

cthuba wrote: ↑Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:46 pm Color. A word we so often use to describe tubas that have an extra something something to the sound.


What does it mean?

I've read in the older forum where a german user stated that American tubists have great sound but they restrict themselves from bringing the color out.

Does this mean edge to the tone?

To me I had always felt that color described how the note grew and decayed on a tuba not necessarily having to be played with edge but a fully support tone.

Thoughts?

It usually refers to the strength of various overtones heard in the (pretentious word warning) bouquet of the sonority.
One of the most pleasing overtones (to my ears) is/are the 12th/24th partials (ex: playing a B-flat below the staff on a B-flat or C tuba, and hearing F above the staff - as well as the F above that one - sounding.

It can probably also refer to the lack or presence of noise in the resonance (ie "white noise" - just plain noise - probably credited to a not-particularly well-trained embouchure with flaws in the vibration of the lips).

The "color" of the sound of a YBB-105 and the "color" of the sound of a YCB-826S (regardless of amplitudes/decibel levels/pitches/etc.) are going to differ from each other - regardless of the operator(s).

Personally, I really don't like using the word "color" to describe things other than colors, and I prefer words other than "tone" when referring to those subtle things (moods, points of view, etc.) conveyed in literature.

Although the term “tone color” is commonly used to describe what is being discussed, “tone quality” or even “timbre” would be less confusing terminology.

Color
Rich
Dark
Warm
Colorful
Resonant
Presence
Core
Clear
Covered
Bright
Singing
Lots of fundamental
Pillowy
Buoyant
Direct
Broad
Focused
Vibrant
Buzzy
Round
Fat
Laser beam
Daisy Cutter

We agree on the exact meaning of all these terms, yes???

Doc (asking a question in the style of bloke)

Yes, we are in exact agreement on all of that.

Part of it is what the instrument can do, and part of it is what the player can do. That's all the precision I can come up with.

DonO. wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 6:27 am Although the term “tone color” is commonly used to describe what is being discussed, “tone quality” or even “timbre” would be less confusing terminology.

Timbre is more precise albeit less common among non-musicians.

hrender wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 9:20 am

DonO. wrote: ↑Thu Jun 02, 2022 6:27 am Although the term “tone color” is commonly used to describe what is being discussed, “tone quality” or even “timbre” would be less confusing terminology.

Timbre is more precise albeit less common among non-musicians.

tam-ber

In college, we used to call them the 3 T's -- tone, timbre, and 'ticulation