What instrument did you play first?

Dean E · Post by **Dean E** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 12:46 pm

I started on a small Eb tuba in 5th grade school band, in 1958. At Woodruff High School, Peoria, Illinois, I played Eb sousaphone one year, then switched to BBb sousaphone. I don't remember any of the manufacturers' names.

In December 2003 I resumed play, after almost a 40-year absence, on an Eb York 3-valve monster I bought from an ebay auction. I did six TubaChristmases in December, and I have been playing in a community band since February.

Tuba is all I know, but I'm thinking of trying a euphonium.

RossK · Post by **RossK** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 1:08 pm

Started on French horn in 7th.
JR. High band director switched me to euphonium for marching season in 9th grade. Went back to Horn for concert season.
Bought a trumpet from a friend who dropped out of band. This was the first instrument that I ever owned.
Switched to Euph full-time in high school.
Played baritone in college for 1 semester.
Played horn for the remainder of college.
Bought a horn after college.Played trumpet and horn in church for many years. No low brass playing for almost a 20 year stretch.
Bought a euph in 2003 and started playing again. Looking for a community band to play with when I get my lips back into shape.
Bought a trombone and began teaching myself to play.
Would try to learn tuba if I had one.

My lips are very confused.

Ross

Mark E. Chachich · Post by **Mark E. Chachich** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 1:12 pm

Although I wanted to play the tuba (one of the few I suppose), I started on the baritone in the 4th grade. I switched to tuba and started string bass in the 8th grade.

Mark

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:06 pm

I started on trumpet (1959). After playing for 4 years, my family moved to a new school district. I introduced myself to the band director at the new high school and said that I played trumpet. He said, "Not in my band you don't - but you can play baritone if you like?". So I took up the baritone. Although I was disappointed at first, I learned to really like the euphonium and the music it made.

JCalkin · Post by **JCalkin** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:11 pm

I started on the trumpet in the fourth grade (early, I know, but hey, New Jersey) and switched to euphonium in 7th grade when I broke my left arm playing football and couldn't hold the trumpet properly. Actually, I think ny director used it as a convenient excuse to move me. I also started trombone that year for jazz purposes.

After a one-year stint on a bell front 3 valve euphonuim, I switched to tuba and played a HUGE 3 valve bell-front Conn, and I brought a fiberglass sousa home to practice with.

I went to two high schools... at the first I played a four valve Walter Sear in silver, and after I moved I played a three valve compensating Besson(?).

tubacdk · Post by **tubacdk** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:31 pm

I started on alto sax in 6th grade because I liked the look of it and I had one that I could borrow. didn't start tuba till spring of my sophomore year in high school. it took me another year to pry the alto out of my hands full time, but once I did tuba full time there was no looking back.

-ck

docpugh · Post by **docpugh** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:12 pm

20 years on tuba now and I've never looked back.

scottw · Post by **scottw** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:27 pm

My story closely follows Dean E's: started on an old Eb tuba in 6th grade (1958) because I was big enough for it, played EB through HS and abruptly had to learn BBb when I got to college in 1965. After a few years supporting the family, I stopped playing tuba except along with the students from time to time; I just came back to tuba 2 years ago when my original band director kept pestering me to come play with his 13 piece brass ensemble--full circle! And I am having a ball!

chronolith · Post by **chronolith** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:46 am

I started on trumpet and played it for a very long time. Got my degree at Northwestern with the trumpet! I learned a lot about playing at NU which luckily applies to all of the brasses. Vince Cichowicz is a master!

Why trumpet? Because when I was a kid, it was what my folks could afford. Why all the way through undergrad? It is easy to continue doing what people encourage you to do when you demonstrate some skill at it. Until you burn out, which is what I did.

I played closet tuba for years and "came out" a few years ago. I sometimes cannot help but wonder what my musical career would have been like if I had the foresight to switch early on.

In perspective though, I am playing tuba for all of the right reasons. I do it only because I love the sound and always have. That is joy.

TubeNet

What instrument did you play first?

What instrument did you start on in begining band?

alto saxophone

Trumpet