Characteristic Studies: from the Complete Method for Eb Tuba (Anthology of Arban Publications)

This special edition of the Arban Characteristic Studies is optimized for Eb tuba. Arban’s original technical and musical goals remain intact as they are applied to the Eb tuba.These studies are the culmination of the path to musical achievement given by Arban. ITEA REVIEW: The fourteen “Characteristic Studies” found in the back of Arban’s famous Complete Method for Trumpet have long proven their worth as musical etudes. They are doubtless studied by thousands of brass players all over the world and are nearly universally loved by students who have benefitted from mastering them. Tubists have also been able to reap the rewards from studying these etudes, although not without clearing a few hurdles first. Initially it was reading treble clef from the original trumpet book. Then, it was reading them down an octave from the volume transcribed for trombone (along with the fact that many sections were full of errata, and some left out entirely). In recent years, tubists have benefitted tremendously from Dr. Jerry Young and Wesley Jacobs removing these hurdles and finally publishing a version of the Arban method transcribed and written with CC tubas in mind. This version of the Arban method has been available for several years and is used daily by many players all over the world. Recently Young and Jacobs decided to revisit the fourteen “Characteristic Studies,” publishing three separate versions specifically for F, E-flat, and BB-flat tubas. The studies are identical to the originals, only transposed to the fundamental keys that Arban would have intended for each instrument, resulting in the same fingering combinations used in the original trumpet version. Also, much like the version of the Arban method for CC tuba, Young has provided several helpful editorial remarks for students preparing to tackle each study. I found revisiting these familiar etudes in new keys a wonderful experience. In transposing them to the fundamental keys of their intended instrument, many of the more awkward fingering combinations and problematic sections are cleaned up, and the resulting versions of the studies are much more accessible and fun to play. While it is true that playing in more awkward keys with difficult fingering combinations is an important skill for students to develop, finding success early on in these challenging and virtuosic studies is a great way for younger students to get started on building their skills before clearing more problematic hurdles.