gig-atory intonation challenges

[MikeMason]

my best would be the rodeo in Oneonta,Al. around 18 yrs ago.A rickety platform right beside and at the same height as the arena.A drumset,tbone,trpt,and tuba on a 9X12 platform.Several clods of various brown substances were kicked our way during the evening and a nice brown layer of dust covered everything the next morning.Acoustics were farthest things from our mind as we prayed no unexpected"cast member" of the rodeo paid us an unwelcome visit.........(livestock of all kinds can jump surprisingly high)

[Wyvern]

Well I had less than ideal seating recently in the orchestra. The width of the venue was only about 30 foot, so it was set up at least 60 foot deep with the brass right at the very back behind the percussion and timpani, although on a raised platform.

The conductor was so far off, we had to virtually play ahead of the beat and I could hardly hear the strings - it was like they were in the next room. Very difficult!

[bttmbow]

Is the plexiglass shield for sound protection for other performers from ALL of you "LOUD" instruments? I'm curious.

Nonetheless, that seems like perhaps one of the worst possible set-ups for a tuba to get stuck in; YUCK!! Sorry you had to deal with that, especially with the amateur timpanist; being near a well-trained one is hard enough.

Don't get me started...
CJH

[Dan Schultz]

THAT could not have been construed to be music It's a good thing they had a good tubist!

[iiipopes]

Too numerous to mention. I have gigged with bass guitar more than I probably ever will with tuba, and I can't recount the number of gigs where they had me separated from the drummer, once, with two people between us, another, at least a five foot fake staircase in the show bandstand/set, others, well...and then wondered why we had so much trouble locking in the tempo and the groove or feel of the songs!

[ken k]

what??? huh??? What'd ya say??? I still can't hear you.....

I hate those gigs when you have to play by feel and hope you are sounding Ok because you can't hear yourself....or anyone else...

ken k