Introduction

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:21 am

Hello friends! Just wanted to give a brief introduction before I post anything here. Inspired by recent discussions and articles on forum etiquette and respectful discourse here, I've decided to go with my real name instead of my usual handle (Fatherman). Feels risky, but I'll take chance on a bunch of tuba players anyday!

I was a serious player in high school, but did my degree in vocal music. I'm a computer programmer who sings, conducts, and plays when I can. I will probably have very little to contribute here, other than an occasional comment or question, but it's just nice to be in the company of other tuba players and to have such a wonderful resource to turn to.

Cheers!

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:47 am

Welcome aboard, and we'll try to forget the vocalist part

By the way, silver or lacquer? piston or rotary? Vanilla or chocolate? (sorry, couldn't resist)

Sou

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:59 am

Thanks for the welcome, cap'n. I'm playing on a borrowed horn (santa's bring me a new one for christmas...hopefully!).

The one I'm playing is 3/4, 4-valve, rotary, lacquer. I can't determine the manufacturer, but it looks like a miraphone 282 knock-off. It's very nearly garbage, but I've been servicing it a bit and have coaxed a few nice sounds out of it. (vanilla, btw)

Now, if I've been a marginally good boy, he will bring me a Cerveny CBB-6864MR. If I've been a good boy, he'll bring me a Meinl Weston 18 "Handy". If I've been really good, he'll bring me a Miraphone 186. I'd be happy with any one of them, although I've never played the Cerveny. I've heard that it's almost just like playing the 186.

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:33 pm

Welcome aboard, and we'll try to forget the vocalist part

All kidding aside, few things have helped my playing more than singing. Phrasing, breathing, breath support, musicality, tuning, blend, espression....

My instrumental training helps me be a better singer as well. In college (91-96). I was shocked to find how poorly the singers who didn't also play instruments read music (especially rhythm).

Thanks again for the welcome.

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:56 pm

davidwburns wrote:
Welcome aboard, and we'll try to forget the vocalist part
All kidding aside, few things have helped my playing more than singing. Phrasing, breathing, breath support, musicality, tuning, blend, espression....

My instrumental training helps me be a better singer as well. In college (91-96). I was shocked to find how poorly the singers who didn't also play instruments read music (especially rhythm).

Thanks again for the welcome.

It really does help with the musicality aspect of playing and many other little, but important, details of musicianship. The thing that is really killer for many college singers is the reading.

I am a teacher in a small Wyoming school and only a couple of the singers in my choirs can even begin to read music. They learned everything from CDs and they can't do simple harmonies at all. They can't listen to a melody on a piano and sing it back. They can't begin to repeat words in latin back to me even if I say them slowly one syllable or word at a time. I am trying my best to stay patient and start from scratch but it is not progressing well at all. My bands are pretty good but my percussionists can't read music, even basic rhythms, or play keybords.

These statements, though they may sound like it, are not made out of frustration or to run anything or anybody down, but to show you how the attitudes of my predecessor might affect how some of the young musical minds work. This can have a profound impact on their futures. It may also help some of you see where these young minds are getting their ideas about music.

Sou

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 4:38 pm

I agree, captain. The current state of music literacy in student singers is poor in the U.S. Classical singing has a rich and rigourous system of music literacy education that has fallen by the wayside in this country (perhaps not as much in Europe where it originates). Solfege, for example, is invaluable to any kind of musician. The body of bel canto training resources (including but not limited to solfege) is significant and includes methods for complex rhythm as well (although it might not keep up with the complexity of modern classical and popular rhythms).

I would advise every singer to take up an instrument and every instrumentalist to take up singing. Neither is a complete form of music education and each has influenced the other immeasurably throughout history.

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:51 pm

Doc wrote:Howdy, pard. Welcome home. Glad you're along for the ride.

Peas,

Doc

Howdy, Tex. I was born in Galveston. Family in San Antonio.
Glad to be back in the tuba saddle.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:59 pm

Welcome aboard!

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:51 pm

Hey, David! We're having lots of fun here. Just join in. There's no such thing as a stupid question. However, please do a search before asking about the best mouthpiece or BBb vs CC or lacquer of silver.

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:12 pm

Oh come on now -- there are lots of stupid questions -- just be careful to ask thoughtful questions, and you'll be fine!

Welcome aboard,

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:15 am

TubaTinker wrote:Hey, David! We're having lots of fun here. Just join in. There's no such thing as a stupid question. However, please do a search before asking about the best mouthpiece or BBb vs CC or lacquer of silver.

Here's the one that's keeping me up at night:

Piston or Rotary? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:02 am

TubaTinker wrote:Hey, David! We're having lots of fun here. Just join in. There's no such thing as a stupid question. However, please do a search before asking about the best mouthpiece or BBb vs CC or lacquer of silver.

Welcome, David. This post, by the way, is good advice.

chipster55 · Post by **chipster55** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:04 am

Welcome, Mr. Burns! Since you're in Norman, do we assume you're an OU fan and /or alum? That's OK, I'm true to UT even though they blew it against K-State & A&M. Learn, particiate, and have fun here.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:05 am

the elephant wrote: (I really miss watching the Ice Man play. Good old Gervin.)

You can still see Gervin "play" if you watch the local Jordan Ford commercials. He's teamed up with a really short guy who goes to my church.

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:16 am

TubaRay wrote:
TubaTinker wrote:Hey, David! We're having lots of fun here. Just join in. There's no such thing as a stupid question. However, please do a search before asking about the best mouthpiece or BBb vs CC or lacquer of silver.
Welcome, David. This post, by the way, is good advice.

Yes, good advice. I'm a long time member of a couple of forums. Every forum seems to have those 10 or so questions that get asked over and over again by newbies. I hereby promise not to make you guys rehash any of that stuff...that's what archives are for!

chipster55 wrote:Welcome, Mr. Burns! Since you're in Norman, do we assume you're an OU fan and /or alum? That's OK, I'm true to UT even though they blew it against K-State & A&M. Learn, particiate, and have fun here.

OU Music ed grad 1996. Sooner fan. Come from an Aggie family. So, chipster....we'll just stick with tuba!

(truthfully, I have a healthy respect for the fine UT tradition...anyway, my granddad was a Longhorn)

Thanks again, guys for the warm welcome. It's good group.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:38 pm

the elephant wrote:But when I get there I hit all of the best dives for food and beer.

Me, too. Blanco Cafe, Mexican Manhattan Restaurant, Brown's Mexican Foods, El Mirador, 410 Diner, Rudy's, the Tip Top, Pico de Gallo...the list just goes on and on.

But I only learned the dirty words.

Every place has problems. We might have more Hispanic gangs up here than in SA--though they are mostly Salvadorean.

Rick "who quickly learned to recognize the Town Freaks markings on traffic signal cabinets" Denney

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:53 pm

davidwburns wrote:OU Music ed grad 1996. Sooner fan. Come from an Aggie family.

Un oh... I was born in Borger, grew up in Houston (Rice Univ. grad). Now I live in northwest Texas (near Seattle). Welcome.

davidwburns · Post by **davidwburns** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:58 pm

Boy I could use a cold one right now! I don't know San Antonio well enough to answer that question. I just go to wherever my San Antonio clan drags me.

Whereever it would be, I'd be buying you guys a round of margaritas for saving me from that ebay scam! I'm still a little shell-shocked ...

If you guys weren't watching out for me .... GEEZ! Don't even want to think about it.