
The
tuba
The tuba (; ) is the largest and lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in th ...
has been played since the mid-19th century, in the midst of the
Romantic period
Romanticism (also known as the Romantic movement or Romantic era) was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. The purpose of the movement was to advocate for the importance of subjec ...
of
Western Classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be #Relationship to other music traditions, distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical mu ...
. Along with classical music, the instrument appears in a variety of
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
styles as well
film
A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...
and
circus music. Most professional tubists are tied to ensembles such as symphony orchestras and bands—including
brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve different colours and mechanical, electrical, acoustic and chemical properties, but copper typically has the larger proportion, generally copper and zinc. I ...
,
concert
A concert, often known informally as a gig or show, is a live performance of music in front of an audience. The performance may be carried by a single musician, in which case it is sometimes called a recital, or by a musical ensemble such as an ...
and
Jazz band
A jazz band (jazz ensemble or jazz combo) is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands vary in the quantity of its members and the style of jazz that they play but it is common to find a jazz band made up of a rhythm section and a ho ...
s—or academic institutions. A smaller minority spend their careers as solo or chamber musicians.
Among the instrument's notable classical performers are
William Bell,
John Fletcher,
Arnold Jacobs
Arnold Maurice Jacobs (June 11, 1915 – October 7, 1998) was an American tubist who spent most of his career with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He held that position from 1944 until his retirement in 1988.
Jacobs was considered one of the f ...
and
Harvey Phillips. Noted Jazz players include
Don Butterfield,
Howard Johnson and
Michel Godard.
[ ] Accomplished soloist and chamber musicians include
James Gourlay,
Øystein Baadsvik
Øystein Baadsvik (born 14 August 1966) is a Norwegian tuba soloist and chamber musician.
Born in Trondheim, Norway, he began playing the tuba at the age of fifteen at his school in Trondheim, Norway, and won first prize at eighteen in a Norwe ...
,
Velvet Brown
Velvet Brown is a distinguished American tubist and euphonium player, currently serving as the David P. Stoner Endowed Professor Tuba and Euphonium at Pennsylvania State University as well as the Associate Director of the School of Music for Equ ...
and
August Schieldrop. Tubists who played primarily for film scores are
John Van Houten,
Tommy Johnson and
Jim Self.
Tubists
References
Citations
Sources
*
External links
Lifetime Achievementhonorees from the
ITEA
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuba Players, List Of
Lists of musicians by instrument