The Techniques of Tuba Playing
Adler-McKean, Jack
- More than 250 music examples, diagrams and tables
- Some 100 audio samples recorded on instruments ranging from the serpent to the microtonal tuba
- Detailed fingering charts for F, E-flat, C and B-flat tubas as well as for the euphonium, ophicleide and serpent
Description
This book on the tuba is a companion for composers and players alike, deepening their understanding of this somewhat neglected family of instruments. It gives tuba players an opportunity to master and employ new performance techniques on their instrument, particularly in contemporary music.
Jack Adler-McKean offers helpful instruction in various tuning mechanisms, resonance properties, new forms of notation and contemporary practices. Using the most recent research, he subdivides and reconstructs processes of sound generation and modification to display the broad range of tonal possibilities in the tuba family, many of which can also be applied to other brass instruments.
The text is illustrated with numerous music examples and diagrams and is supplied with instructive audio samples which can be downloaded from the Bärenreiter website.
The author
Born in London in 1988, Jack Adler-McKean works primarily as a tuba player with a focus on contemporary music. He has played in orchestras including the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He has also given solo and ensemble recitals, for example in New York and Buenos Aires with Klangforum Wien, Ensemble Modern and the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Content:
Geleitwort / Preface
I. Einleitung / I. Introduction
II. Die Tubafamilie: ein kurzer Überblick / II. The tuba family: a brief overview
III. Ventile und andere Stimmmechanismen / III. Valves and other tuning systems
IV. Resonanzeigenschaften und Notationsprinzipien / IV. Resonant characteristics and notational principles
V. Klangressourcen I: Grundlagen der Klangerzeugung / V. Sonic resources I: Fundamentals of sound production
VI. Klangressourcen II: mikrotonale und nicht-gleichstufige Klangerzeugung / VI. Sonic resources II: microtonal and non-equality tempered sound production
VII. Klangresssourcen III: Erzeugung von Luftgeräuschen (ohne Lippenton-Klangerzeugung) / Sonic resources III: air noise (non-lip-reed) sound production
VIII. Klangmodifikation I: Lippen und Gesichtsmuskulatur / VIII. Modifying sounds I: the lips and facial muscles
IX. Klangmodifikation II: Zunge, Vokaltrakt und weitere Muskeln / IX. Modifying sounds II: the tongue, vocal tract, and other muscles
X. Klangmodifikation III: Instrumentalmechanik / X. Modifying sounds III: instrumental mechanics
XI. Klänge und Modifikationen von außen I: Vokalisierung und andere Körperaktionen / XI. Extraneous sounds and modifications I: vocalisations and other uses of the body
XII. Klänge und Modifikationen von außen II: zusätzliche Ausrüstung / XII. Extraneous sounds and modifications II: external equipment
XIII. Anhang / XIII. Appendices
