Method Books for Tuba

In this section, I explore a number of different books designed to improve playing ability. This books are categorized by what I feel a the general age groups that get the most use from them, baring the first category labelled Standards. The images are also links to a website that sells the book, you can also copy and paste the titles into Google and find other retailers. Both feature elements of music theory and ear training, as well as some multi-cultural aspects in a performance-centered learning approach. 

Standards

Blazhevich- 70 Studies for Tuba
​        70 Studies for Tuba is a fantastic method book for students to work on blending technical and musical playing. Each etudes is a page or two long, and are often more technical in nature, meaning the majority can be somewhat dry. The book covers a broad range of keys from at least 4 sharps/flats and some significant articulation and rhythmic challenges. The Blazevich is a great challenge for high-school to younger collegiate players and a great way to refine technique in older players. 

Kopprasch- 60 Selected Studies for Tuba
         The 60 Selected Studies is another technical method book, this one originally for low horn that has been edited and arranged by Dr. Jerry Young for tuba. This method book is primarily technical, with exercises that have a variety of dynamics and rhythmic complexities. This edition also includes helpful commentary by Dr. Young, providing useful stylistic suggestions. Kopprasch will present a welcome challenge to high-school level players, and I find it to be one of my go-to warm-up books. 

Rochut- Melodious Etudes for Trombone
         The Rochut is one of the primary melodic books of my undergraduate. This book not only includes many fabulously written melodic etudes, but it also includes a CD (passé now I know) that includes PDFs of the etudes and MP3's of accompaniment for each exercise. These exercises vary in difficulty, with a range of tempos, styles, and keys though they do roughly increase in difficulty as a student moves through the book. This is the first of three volumes, and the most popular by far. A word of warning, it is written as a trombone book, so it does sit rather high in the tessitura, unless (like undergraduate me) a student wants to practice learning to read down an octave. Older players can challenge themselves to play the etudes as written and an octave down, as well as with the accopmaniment for a performative experience. Should you not want to have to transpose across octaves, the Bordogni method book is a transcription of these vocalise written with the tuba and euphonium in mind. 
 
Jacobs- The One Hundred
        Wes Jacobs, editor and writer for The One Hundred, had a nearly forty year career as the Principal Tubist for the Detroit Symphony. Jacobs has since retired from that position and has become a prolific compiler for the tuba, having been involved in a number of books transcribed or edited for the instrument. The One Hundred is one such books, an essential piece of literature for anyone looking to start working on orchestral repertoire. The book contains 277 audition excerpts from one hundred different orchestral pieces (hence the name, cool right?). Each of these excerpts included incredibly useful information like tempos, articulations, errata (noted and catalogued for convenience), practice and performance suggestions, biographical information on composers, and much more. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is an essential book to buy for anyone looking to make tuba performance or upper level teaching their career. 

Pilafian and Sheridan- Brass Gym
        Brass Gym is a great fundamentals book written by Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, geared toward building core skills as part of a comprehensive daily routine. In their own words, "The Brass Gym contains a daily basics routine developed from a synthesis of our experiences from more than 50 combined years of touring as performers and educators throughout the world. The workout consists of exercises that cover comprehensively the basic aspects of wind playing. It can also be used as a warm-up activity as the exercises are ordered in a gentle "ramp up" with demand increasing throughout the workout." The book includes a number of exercises divided into large sections designed to focus and work on core elements of a tubists playing. As such there are increasing levels of difficulty, and the CD accompaniment helps to keep both new and old users honest in the practice room. 

Michael Davis- 20-Minute Warmup
        20-Minute Warmup, much like the Brass Gym is a method book geared towards fundamentals and working as a part of a daily routine. The book includes 15 exercises that build core skills while also working as a great warmup. The exercises can be quite challenging, especially to newcomers who haven't used the book before (looking at you chromatic 4ths exercise). My advice is to take it slow and acclimate to the book, which is still enjoyable as it also comes with an accompanimental CD with recordings by Gene Pokorny, Principal Tubist of the Chicago Symphony (tuba talk with him here). While not really suited for younger players, this is a great resource for collegiate players looking to build fluency and solidify fundamental competencies. 

Collegiate (Upperclassman/Graduate)

Snedecor- Low Etudes for the Tuba
​        Low Etudes for the Tuba is as it says on the cover, 19 low etudes for the tuba. Written by Phil Snedecor (originally a trumpet player) in 1991, these etudes are an essential part of tubist's study of the low range. These can be incredibly challenging, requiring players to perform fluidly and melodically at a depth rarely seen in either ensemble or solo work. This has the benefit of not only solidifying the low range to a terrifying degree, but also can help shore up fluidity and dexterity in the mid-low range. These etudes do need to be approached carefully, as it is easy for less experienced musicians to build damaging habits trying to perform the etudes to quickly or without the proper process. Snedecor does have a sequel to this book Low(er) Etudes for the Tuba that came out around five years ago. 

Torchinsky- Tuba Player's Orchestral Repertoire
​     Abe Torchinsky was the Principal Tubist of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra from 1949-72 and was responsible for compiling and incredible compendium of orchestral repertoire and excerpts for tubists to learn from. This compendium is split into several volumes, often dedicated to a particular composer and at times even a particular piece. This is primarily because of the fact that each volume includes the complete tuba part for every piece by that composer in its entirety and often times with errata added in. While not necessary for the average tubist, if one is deadset on becoming an orchestral player these may be a worthwhile investment. Given that this compendium includes the vast majority of orchestral literature for the tuba, there is a huge range of difficulties and technical requirements within the various volumes. Also a word of warning, it can be difficult to find the entire set, as there are well over a dozen volumes.

​Charlier- 32 Etudes de perfectionnement
        The Charlier etudes (as the title might suggest) are a French series of 32 etudes written for the tuba. This book can be incredibly challenging, with complex rhythmic figures, chromatic runs, and overall difficult melodic lines. Originally for trombone and euphonium, the Charlier shares similar range issues with the Rochut, though this is compounded by the increase in technical difficulty. These etudes can be a great way for more experienced players to learn to blend technique and melodic playing. Many of the etudes are named for what they focus on, such as articulation or a particular interval. 

​Orth: Into the Depths
        This particular book is one of the newest on the market, and is a great resource for tubists looking to build competency in the low range before tackling the Snedecor exercises. The book includes a series of low-range exercises that fit neatly into a daily routine or can be done back to back as part of a dedicated practice component. Each exercise has suggestions on use and goals from the author, as well as offering a suggested tempo. The book is designed in such a way that players can use it without having to complete every activity. They can work to their limit and then work to slowly increase both range and fluidity. 

Upper High-school/Freshman Undergraduate

Pilafian and Sheridan- The Breathing Gym
          "The Breathing Gym is a method to learn to breathe more freely, reduce physical stress, & prepare the mind to learn." In short, The Breathing Gym is a fantastic resource for students to build flexibilty and strength in the air pattern. I find that exercises from this series are incredibly useful as part of a daily routine, for spot checking during rehearsal, and as a way to calm myself before a performance or other stressful activity. There are a variety of different activities that target particular facets of the breathing apparatus, such as the inhale or exhale. The book does have additional material that can be purchased such as a DVD that has Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan guiding the viewer through the exercises (very useful), to additional books with expanded activites. My favorite aspect of the book is the fact that in the back of the book, the authors have a set of prescribed routines depending on the length of time and goal of use for the book.
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​Arban- Complete Method for Tuba and Euphonium
         Based on and including the complete Arban's Method for Trumpet, and including extensive additional material by Dr. Jerry Young, this is one of the most commonly used method books at the collegiate level. Much like the trumpet book it stems from, the Complete Method for Tuba/Euphonium is precisely that, a complete method. This book has exercises covering nearly every facet of performance, from fundamental tone production and articulation to chromatic studies, mordants, and multiple tonguing. The book features clear and easy to read music that increases in difficulty within each section. While there are books that are better for specific aspects, there are very few that are as complete or as useful as the Arban method. It should be noted that the tuba version of the book is keyed for C tuba, this has little effect on the exercises themselves, but does change both fingerings and how it interacts with the BBb trumpet version.

​Grigoriev- 78 Studies for Tuba
        The Grigoriev studies are in many ways the musical answer to the Blazhevich studies. While the Blazhevich are primarily technical with some melodic exercises and moments throughout, the Grigoriev instead places the focus on melodic playing. He uses all of the major and minor keys throughout the book, as well as a variety of ranges and styles. This book functions as an excellent compliment to technical studies and I find can be used in addition to or instead of the Rochut if transpositions are either too complicated or simply not something being worked on. Did Grigoriev intentionally write eight more studies just so that he had more than Blazhevich? I don't know, but maybe. As a more experienced player, I find that these make for excellent sight-reading material during my daily routine.

​Tyrell- 40 Advanced Studies for Tuba
        Another method book that functions as an excellent way to build melodic competency, the Tyrell is a great way for high-school and freshman undergraduates to build the skills necessary to successful work into the Rochut and other more difficult method books. All 40 of the studies fall around the staff and are primarily in flat keys, making them very approachable for a less experienced player. The etudes also feature a good range of rhythms, time signatures, and styles to help building flexibilty alongside facility in the mid-upper range of the instrument. 

High-school and Below

Bordogni- Vocalises for Tuba
        This book is quite honestly the Rochut etudes transposed to a range that is more tuba friendly, great for younger players or those that want that melodic exercise that the Rochut's offer without having to mentally transpose octaves. It is important to note that the numbering is not the same between the books, rather annoyingly. 

Blazhevich- 70 Studies for Tuba
         70 Studies for Tuba is a fantastic method book for students to work on blending technical and musical playing. Each etudes is a page or two long, and are often more technical in nature, meaning the majority can be somewhat dry. The book covers a broad range of keys from at least 4 sharps/flats and some significant articulation and rhythmic challenges. The Blazevich is a great challenge for high-school to younger collegiate players and a great way to refine technique in older players. 

Voxman- Concert and Contest Collection
        This book is one of the go-to resources in terms of first solos for upper middle/lower high-school players. Many tubists' first solos they ever performed come from this book. Averaging around a 3-4 in terms of difficulty, this collection contains 14 different solos that encompass a wide range of styles and technical requirements. All of the solos are works borrowed from other repertoires and span from Handel to Rimsky-Korsakov in terms of both time period and musical genre. The Voxman is an incredibly useful resource for young players as well as band directors that are not tuba players, as it contains a number of interesting and difficulty appropriate solos to choose from.

Rubank- ____ Method for Tuba
         A series of three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced this series is one of my favorite in terms of comprehensive method books. The Rubank stands apart from many other method books in my mind due to how it is organized. The series features a numbered system where exercises are split into sections based on the fundamental skill being taught and the numbered. This allows an instructor to assign specific exercises in each section to better tailor the experience to the student. The exercises also have a good mix between technical study and musical etude. This three level series is great for working a student from beginner up until solid high-school level. 

Essential Elements
         One of the most commonly used group instruction books in American music classrooms, this is the first of three covered on this page. This book is useful in a setting that has a young tubist in a shared lesson with other instruments. Essential Elements, like most unison-based group method books, relies primarily on short exercises and arrangements of popular songs in order to convey musical lessons. This structure makes it relatively simply to transition from private lesson to full ensemble without having to also try and teach separate "band" music. In my opinion, good for beginning and early middle school players, but it would likely be necessary to move them to a more idiomatic method book before high-school. 

Standard of Excellence
         Much the same as Essential Elements, this method book is primarily designed to function as a pipeline from individual lessons to full band rehearsal. Both of these books are structured in such a way that they encourage a completionism learning method, where the student starts at the beginning and does every exercises one after the other until they reach the end.

Student Instrumental Course
         Very similar to Essential Elements and Standard of Excellence, this method book series can be used for both individual and class based instruction. Where they differ, I believe, is that whereas both the previous series operated first as a classroom teaching tool and second as a private lesson book, this series does the opposite. This book set contains three main books with several companion texts that offer more melodies for students to build musical interpretation. Of the three comprehensive early method books listed here, this will always have a special place in my heart as the series I started with, despite Essential Elements and Standard of Excellence being far more commonly used.  ​
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