Stupid question
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:16 pm
So, due to the shrinking orchestras in the US, I've decided to not really put a lot of effort into orchestral auditions when my efforts are better placed on gaining and maintaining my various commercial music jobs. If I can do some orchestral work, the least amount of effort is best.
Of course, that places me out of the best possible jobs, because of the saturated market and a lot of gung-ho recent grads with lots of free time, but I'm okay with that. I decided that practicing 10+ hours/day for upcoming local auditions for the chance at a $30k position isn't really worth the pain.
That being said:
Since I don't own a bass tuba, I have been toying with the idea of sometime getting such a horn when I am able to, in case I decide to take an audition and need a bass tuba. At the same time, I never replaced my stolen euphonium, because it seemed to make no financial sense to blow my insurance check on a replacement that made me less than a tenth of the cost of the horn in a decade. BUT--
Thoughts on using a euphonium on a bass tuba part for an audition/orchestral gig?
I CAN play Die Meistersinger, or Petrushka, or Symphonie Fantastique on my 5/4 BBb, but perfecting that kind of stuff on this horn is a LOT of work. I already know how to play a euph very well without relearning fingerings, I miss my euph, I can nail the music with little effort, and it could kill two instrument desires in one swoop.
Then again, it's probably a dumb thought. A conductor might even be rightly pissed off if they found me trying to pass off a euphonium as a bass tuba.
Of course, that places me out of the best possible jobs, because of the saturated market and a lot of gung-ho recent grads with lots of free time, but I'm okay with that. I decided that practicing 10+ hours/day for upcoming local auditions for the chance at a $30k position isn't really worth the pain.
That being said:
Since I don't own a bass tuba, I have been toying with the idea of sometime getting such a horn when I am able to, in case I decide to take an audition and need a bass tuba. At the same time, I never replaced my stolen euphonium, because it seemed to make no financial sense to blow my insurance check on a replacement that made me less than a tenth of the cost of the horn in a decade. BUT--
Thoughts on using a euphonium on a bass tuba part for an audition/orchestral gig?
I CAN play Die Meistersinger, or Petrushka, or Symphonie Fantastique on my 5/4 BBb, but perfecting that kind of stuff on this horn is a LOT of work. I already know how to play a euph very well without relearning fingerings, I miss my euph, I can nail the music with little effort, and it could kill two instrument desires in one swoop.
Then again, it's probably a dumb thought. A conductor might even be rightly pissed off if they found me trying to pass off a euphonium as a bass tuba.