The tuba source book
A massive research effort by leading professional tubists in 36 countries presents a comprehensive picture of the tuba. The "baby" of the orchestra, the tuba was "born" in 1835. The first major solo compositions for the instrument appeared only in the 1950s, but in the next forty years the body of literature for the tuba increased at an amazing pace. The first several chapters of The Tuba Source Book identify that literature by ensemble type. They provide bibliographic data and descriptions of 1,900 pieces for tuba and keyboard, 234 for tuba and band, 1,056 for tuba ensemble, 106 for tuba and strings, and 258 for unaccompanied tuba, as well as hundreds of works in other categories and 456 methods and studies. The chapter entitled "Recommended Basic Repertoire" is subdivided by level, from high school through professional, and "Orchestral Excerpts," in addition to listing 146 works that every tubist should know, includes advice on how to audition. The Tuba Source Book also offers an extensive discography (400 entries), a very complete bibliography, biographies of professional tubists, career advice, guidelines for composing and arranging music for the tuba, and lists of instrument builders and sources of tuba equipment. This encyclopedic volume fills a need for tubists at all levels of study and accomplishment. It is invaluable for composers, music educators, conductors, administrators, librarians, historians, and everyone who enjoys the art of tuba performance.
