Instrument Focus: Tuba -Joel Helston, Kaiserslautern, Germany
The purpose of this article will be to provide teachers with five methods books for Tuba. Hopefully this will provide teachers a guideline for future orders when funds are available to provide practical materials for their tuba students.
Arban Complete Method for Tuba –transcribed and edited by Dr. Jerry Young and Wesley Jacobs. People may recognize this publication from the trumpet method. It is the most complete method book available. Technical studies, solos, duets, everything one would need. Best benefit, Dr. Young gives an in-depth synopsis of the exercises and how they should be practiced.
60 Selected Studies for BBb Tuba – C. Kopprasch. This book provides great technical exercises and great range work. I heard once, that the old editions are no longer in print and Dr. Jerry Young re-edited this book and like the Arban book, he includes detailed practice techniques.
70 Studies for BBb Tuba – Valdislav Blazhevich. Great exercises that works its way through all key signature, time signature, complex
rhythms, and tempos in music. Compare to the Kopprasch, these exercises are more lyrical.
Melodious Studies for Trombone – Johannes Rochut. Most brass players know these famous Bordogni exercises. There are editions for Tuba but for a tuba player to learn how to read music trombone music will benefit them later on. While studying with Dr. Jerry Young, we would read these exercises at pitch, an octave lower, and then two octaves lower.
Practical Studies for Tuba (Book 1 and 2) – Nilo W. Hovey and Robert W. Getchell. Again, like the Blazhevich book, this series explorers all key signatures, time signatures, simple and complex rhythms, and varied tempos. Benefit is in some states this book is often used as Honors audition material. Having this book, may allow your student to prepare for stateside audition material.
There are many more books available, however, these are the top five books that serious tuba players should have to benefit their future. I do not want to promote any specific business but they should be available through JW Pepper, Sheetmusicplus.com, Amazon.com, and Woodwind&Brasswind. The best place to purchase the Arban and Kopprasch (Young ed.) is Encoremupub.com. Check out where you purchase from and they should be available.
Arban Complete Method for Tuba –transcribed and edited by Dr. Jerry Young and Wesley Jacobs. People may recognize this publication from the trumpet method. It is the most complete method book available. Technical studies, solos, duets, everything one would need. Best benefit, Dr. Young gives an in-depth synopsis of the exercises and how they should be practiced.
60 Selected Studies for BBb Tuba – C. Kopprasch. This book provides great technical exercises and great range work. I heard once, that the old editions are no longer in print and Dr. Jerry Young re-edited this book and like the Arban book, he includes detailed practice techniques.
70 Studies for BBb Tuba – Valdislav Blazhevich. Great exercises that works its way through all key signature, time signature, complex
rhythms, and tempos in music. Compare to the Kopprasch, these exercises are more lyrical.
Melodious Studies for Trombone – Johannes Rochut. Most brass players know these famous Bordogni exercises. There are editions for Tuba but for a tuba player to learn how to read music trombone music will benefit them later on. While studying with Dr. Jerry Young, we would read these exercises at pitch, an octave lower, and then two octaves lower.
Practical Studies for Tuba (Book 1 and 2) – Nilo W. Hovey and Robert W. Getchell. Again, like the Blazhevich book, this series explorers all key signatures, time signatures, simple and complex rhythms, and varied tempos. Benefit is in some states this book is often used as Honors audition material. Having this book, may allow your student to prepare for stateside audition material.
There are many more books available, however, these are the top five books that serious tuba players should have to benefit their future. I do not want to promote any specific business but they should be available through JW Pepper, Sheetmusicplus.com, Amazon.com, and Woodwind&Brasswind. The best place to purchase the Arban and Kopprasch (Young ed.) is Encoremupub.com. Check out where you purchase from and they should be available.
