I am very curious about this as a composer. Sometimes, I really want a C#, C, B, or B-flat below the standard lowest D. A tubist whom I personally know suggested that at least some of these pitches are possible... yet an orchestral conductor (of a highly professional orchestra) asked that even the low C be transposed up by an octave for the orchestra's tubist. So, my specific questions are these: 1. Who is really correct here - the tubist whom I know or the conductor whom I know? 2. Can EVERY chromatic step from the normal low D to the lower B-flat be played? (I've heard that B-natural is the most dubious, but that's just a rumor.) 3. Are there dynamic limitations to such extremely low notes? If so, are they better and easier to be played loudly or to be played softly? (Of course, I know that none of these notes should be played very fast.)
I am very curious about this as a composer. Sometimes, I really want a C#, C, B, or B-flat below the standard lowest D. A tubist whom I personally know suggested that at least some of these pitches are possible... yet an orchestral conductor (of a highly professional orchestra) asked that even the low C be transposed up by an octave for the orchestra's tubist. So, my specific questions are these:
1. Who is really correct here - the tubist whom I know or the conductor whom I know?
2. Can EVERY chromatic step from the normal low D to the lower B-flat be played? (I've heard that B-natural is the most dubious, but that's just a rumor.)
3. Are there dynamic limitations to such extremely low notes? If so, are they better and easier to be played loudly or to be played softly?
(Of course, I know that none of these notes should be played very fast.)