Kantaber

Kantaber is a work for tuba that explores the possibilities that this instrument offers to produce played multiphonics (also known as “split sounds”). By contrast to the technique of playing and singing at the same time, the investigated sounds in this piece are multiphonics similar to those produced by woodwind instruments with special fingerings. In the case of the tuba these sounds are produced by special position of the embouchure and tuning changes.

From a harmonic point of view, these pristine sounds will be presented slowly from the most essential sounds of air to the most complex sonorities. 

Due to the fragility of some sounds of this piece, it is recommended to amplify the performance in case of programme it in halls over 100 listeners. In the case of small halls where the performer  is very close to the audience, the acoustic reinforcement is optional. Equalisation, compression and reverberation is allowed. 

To amplify the tuba it is needed 2 near field microphones, one for the bell of the instrument and other for the prepared 4th tube that will be open during all the performance. Each microphone will be slightly panned to one different side (L and R) of the main PA. 

The work is written to be played with a C tuba. In the case of playing it with a different transposition tuba, the score has to be transposed to make coincide the fingerings (used in C tuba), independently the transposition of the tuba.