Thompson Flexibility Studies for BBb Tuba Vol. 2

This is Vol. 2 of the Thompson Flexibility Studies for tuba players. It is designed for intermediate players.
This version has an expanded range section in the last half of the book that will surely challenge even the most advanced intermediate players who are almost...at the advanced level of playing!

The intermediate level tuba player is the largest, most populous group of players.

My best guess is that 70% - 80% of all tuba players around the globe are intermediate players.

Think about it: Most beginners at some point after 2-3 years, will find themselves no longer a beginner, but a developing intermediate tuba player. They no longer have to go to the back of their band builder tuba book to look up a fingering. They typically know the difference in a whole note and a half note. They also have had experience playing in a few band concerts too.

So, all beginners turn into intermediate players in a few short years.

What happens then?

Most stay in the intermediate camp of tuba players the rest of their life unless something special happens.

If an intermediate tuba player develops notions of wanting to play high or deep into the pedal range, or wanting to play great concertos in the style of Roger Bobo, or if they are constantly striving to play 1st tuba parts and/or solo parts in their ensembles, a special thing may happen to these players:

ADVANCEMENT!

Because of their burning desires listed above, they may increase their practice time. They may involve themselves in months or years of private tuba lessons. They may even help out first time beginners in 4th grade or 5th grade.

With a lot of hard, but fun work and experience, they might eventually join the ranks of the sparsely populated Advance Tier.

Not too many tuba players around the globe are advanced or professional caliber players.

Some good, intermediate tuba players may like to think that they are advanced, but more likely than not, it is wishful thinking on their part.

A good test to figure it all out would be to add up your concentrated practice sessions from when you began playing until present times.

1000 hours of good, solid practice will likely put you at the bottom rung on the ladder of advanced players.

It is not as easy or quick as you may think.

It would not be too difficult to be able to enjoy playing all your life as an intermediate player especially if you were distracted by a very busy career and family life.

To become an advanced tuba player, you would have to make sacrifices.

Big Time Sacrifices.

The exercises that follow are not a walk in the park. There are some fun and decent challenges awaiting you here in Vol. 2.