I had so much fun making this video! Last week I was working on a new composition and asked myself the question: how long is the longest sustained note that can be played on a Tuba and a Contrabassoon? The lowest instruments within the woodwinds and brass family.
I stumbled upon many great articles, posts in forums, discussions and videos. A treasure of information! I’ve learned so much about the tuba and contrabassoon in my quest to find the answer. And the conclusion and answers is what I’ll be sharing with you in this video.
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The importance of the longest sustained note
This question is relevant in the perspective of orchestration, cause it can determine if you can use a tuba or contrabassoon for a certain passage in your composition. Players of these instruments need to breath.
So maybe you’re writing long sustained notes which are not possible to play with the tuba or the contrabassoon. Then you have to go to your save haven: the double basses. They can play long notes the whole day without getting tired.
The videos about the contrabassoon & other information
- Richard Bobo – 75 seconds long note contrabassoon: https://youtu.be/ZYnCfYrI7TU
- Instruments Contrabassoon: https://youtu.be/JVAe7YBUc6c
- Andrew Hugill: http://andrewhugill.com
- World record longest sustained note: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-sustained-note-on-a-wind-or-brass-instrument