14 Characteristic Studies

Performing Arban's Characteristic Studies on the tuba can be very challenging. Many students become frustrated when attempting these etudes. Some of the problems stem from the fact that these etudes were intended to be performed on a cornet or trumpet—two octaves higher than the tuba. I have edited this music to make it more playable for the tuba while still retaining its original technical value. Here are the Characteristic Studies as I think Arban would have written them for tuba. I have carefully indicated the tempi and phrasing in each study. Each of these etudes is playable in every respect at the tempo given. These etudes work best on the large CC or BBb tuba but can also be performed on high pitched tubas. Wesley Jacobs