Close Encounters of a Third Kind

[rperrym]

Can anyone tell me who played the tuba in this movie soundtrack and what kind of tuba it was played on?
Thanks,

Rick

[poomshanka]

Tommy Johnson, Jim Self, Ray Segal (tuba/string bass doubler). End sequence was originally recorded by Tommy, with a second version being recorded by Jim. Jim's version is what made it into the movie.

[Scott Sutherland]

Tommy told me that Jim recorded the first version to be used on set during the inital filming of the scene. Then a second version with Tommy was attempted during post production but most of the material (especially the beginning) was not used because it was unmetered and could not be synced with the film. He also said that some of his version made it into the film, but only the material towards the end of the conversation when the pulse was consistent and could be easily synced with the film.

This was his take on it. It seems like there are a few different ideas of what went on, but the final product is a monumental achievement by everyone involved and an example of absolutely world-class playing. Definitely a model for all of us mere mortal tuba players.

[poomshanka]

Hah, this one's been batted around so much, my own memories of this famous bit of tuba lore have become clouded. Norm Pearson weighed in on it a while ago back on the old board:

http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/dec1998 ... /7501.html" target="_blank

Norm's recollection syncs with my own - that it was first recorded by Tommy, then second by Jim. In fact, until the movie came out, I don't think either one of them knew whose version ultimately made it into the movie. Wouldn't it be interesting to track down the outtakes? Hmmm...

Like Scott says, though - another terrifying sight-reading experience for us all to think about and shudder.

...D

[Steve Marcus]

I clicked on that link to the old TubeNet link having totally forgotten that I had responded back then to Norm Pearson's post.

Unfortunately, I also forgot about that little 7" record that was inside the jacket of my Close Encounters LP when I got rid of it.

By now, I might have been able to trade that rarity for a YCB-826S (if I could find a while leisure suit to go along with the disco version of the Close Encounters "Conversation").

However, other than the "collector's value" of the 7" LP, someone on TubeNet will probably post a link to a recording of the disco version--now on iTunes. For that, I might get a drop of valve oil that dripped from a piston of a YCB-826S.