Many years ago, someone came up with the stupid idea that bands should stop tuning to a clarinet and start tuning to a TUBA. How ridicules! I thought it to be a fad started by some band hating string player as a joke but soon it caught on and it now seems that the majority of band directors are still continuing this unproductive and silly practice.
As I listen to more and more bands continuing the time wasting exercise of tuning to the tuba, I shake my head in wonder. I have been shaking my head now for a long time and I finally decided to not only become vocal in my opposition to this practice but also give the world scientific proof why tuning your band to a tuba is a waste of time.
I am very sensitive to good and bad intonation and for that reason, the pain I have to go through when listening to an out of tune band usually creates an all-day headache as well as sweaty palms and extreme tension in my throat and neck muscles. None of these reactions are pleasant and for that reason, I intend to take on the world to try to turn things back to the way it should be: bands once again tuning to a clarinet.
The history of band tuning
Arguably the first tuning device could have been the tuning fork. Limitations on the volume of a fork when tuning would have made it impractical for with the usual noise in a rehearsal, a tuning fork would not project far enough to help anyone trying to tune.
Next was the long series of Conn tuners which were in every band room and would spend its entire life spinning from left to right and back again.
In the earlier days, once the correct pitch was given to and matched correctly by the first chair clarinet, the band (section by section) would use this pitch as a guide. The range and timbre of the clarinet worked well in tuning the ensemble. For individual instrument checking during a rehearsal, the director would periodically check back to the electronic tuner. “And life was good”.
Then the diabolical idea of tuning to a tuba surfaced and we still have not been released from this hideous bondage. If you are still tuning your band to a tuba, please check back at this location and I promise to enlighten you to the better way of tuning your band. If you are a student in a band which continues to tuba tune, politely notify your director of this site and I will try to convert his thinking to the better way.
Next post in this series will be entitled “Scientific Proof- Tuning to a tuba can be hazardous to your band’s intonation”.
I am a tuba player, and I am offended.
I’m a trumpet player and I’m hungry.
Is that all you have to say?
I am an oboe player. My community band tunes to the tuba and I hate it. My stand partner and I have had to specifically make reeds that play sharp since our band is consistently sharp and we could not compensate any longer. I got tired of being told I was flat when an oboe reed can only be pushed in so far. We have limitations considering the reed tube is a part of the horns bore. I am going to have to find ways to covertly get these articles to my director. I am tired of the wild intonation in our band.
The first thing I would do would be to check the Tuba pitch with a tuner. If you can prove that the problem is with the Tuba, you win your argument. If the Tuba is in tune, show your band director my blog any way for I love a lively discussion.
Best of luck to you and yours from Branson.
I both play the tuba and trumpet. Our bands are always in tune, and this year’s tubas are usually the ONLY instruments that are ever properly tuned, so it is a good thing that we tune to the tubas, not the clarinets. The clarinets are the most out of tune this year. Your point is invalid.
I have been very busy and want to apologize for not responding sooner.
I have read your comment and need to respond to your comment.
Your assumption is invalid.
My post is not in any way an assumption.
It is based on 50 years of teaching and performing with many of the top bands in the country.
If a survey were taken as to the most in tune instruments in the world today, the clarinet would rate very high and the tubas would not even be considered!
Lets go through your comment point by point to see if I am incorrect in my thinking.
1. I both play the tuba and trumpet.
Now we understand why you want to defend the tubas.
2. Our bands are always in tune
I strongly doubt it.
3. this year’s tubas are usually the ONLY instruments that are ever properly tuned
That does not say much for your band, especially when you have already stated that “our bands are always in tune”.
4. The clarinets are the most out of tune this year.
Again, which is it are your bands always in tune or are they not?
5. Your point is invalid.
In most situations, I am very calm and accept others views when it comes to challenges of my thoughts. In your case I will make an exception.
Get your head out of your tuba and grow up.
This article is nonsense. My band has always tuned to tubas and we are always on pitch. TUBAS FOREVER!!!
I was with you up to your comment “we are always in tune”. I have never heard of any musical organization capable of this feat.
Even a former teacher of mine, Arnold Jacobs (legendary tubist) would admit that the Chicago Symphony was never “always in tune”.
“PROVABLE FACTS FOREVER”!!!
I like this article.
My band director had us jump around a bit- some days tuba, some days clarinet, and some days oboe (assuming because the timbre sticks out of the orchestra… our oboes weren’t particularly great players tbh)
The idea with tuba was that everyone could sort of “focus” and blend their sound into that weighty, round dark tone. Once the tone really blends, that usually meant it was in-tune (because otherwise it’d clearly stick out).
what do you think?
I like this article.
Thank you very much.
My band director had us jump around a bit- some days tuba, some days clarinet, and some days oboe (assuming because the timbre sticks out of the orchestra…
Actually, I think this is a great compromise to a one instrument practice.
our oboes weren’t particularly great players tbh)
….careful what you put in print.
The idea with tuba was that everyone could sort of “focus” and blend their sound into that weighty, round dark tone. Once the tone really blends, that usually meant it was in-tune (because otherwise it’d clearly stick out).
I disagree completely on this one.
what do you think?
I think you are very kind to read our posts and I still hold to my original and continuing thoughts on
tuba tuning” It doesn’t work.
The very best to you and yours from Branson.
Stay well and live long.
BC