Super [spit] Soaker(s)

[The Jackson]

Hello, dear TubeNet. I come to this Jury of Freaks bearing question.

I have upcoming performances with my school's bands in our house and another high school's. I don't know how the other school's stage is, but our's is weird.

My school's auditorium stage is wood topped with rubber (I assume it's rubber) and spit pools VERY fast. I and my section mates were stepping all over it and it was very uncomfortable (Especially I with my shoes off).

I ask you what you people do for spit from yer 2bus. My obvious sensor screams "Bath towel", but do you have any solutions you like better? Anything would be very much appreciated.


-Jackson

[Dan Schultz]

...... spit pools VERY fast. I and my section mates were stepping all over it and it was very uncomfortable (Especially I with my shoes off).

'bout the only place I play barefoot is at home! There was a gizmo around a while back called a 'spit spot'. It was an absorbent pad that held copius amounts of tuba 'sweat'. Maybe a Google will find it.

EDIT.... Hey! there are those 'spit spots'! Kelly sells 'em!

http://www.kellymouthpieces.com/spitpad.asp

[Randy Beschorner]

I ended up getting a bath rug. The rubber back keeps collections in place. It also comes in handy in keeping mutes from clanging or denting, if properly placed. The strange effect it has on other musicians is that it establishes your space. Trumpet players who have no problems stepping on your horn seem to carefully avoid anything that resembles a carpet.

Storage works well as it rolls up and fits nicely in the bell.

'Course if you want absolutely free, go to a local carpet store and see if they have any sample squares they care to donate to the cause.

[Bob Mosso]

When playing on the nice wood floor of the Nixon Library East Room I bring two black wash cloths. They were cheap from the the local X-Mart. One for the floor, one for the drips comming out the bottom of the valves.

[BriceT]

a simple dark towel always works

[iiipopes]

A simple black towel works great.

RC

What he said. Especially when I play with the university community band in the university concert hall once a year, where you do NOT leave anything on the floor, if you know what I mean.

[oldbandnerd]

Drink it straight from the spit valve ! You'll stay hydrated and lubed up on the inside at the same time !

[Toobist]

Every couple months or so I stop in my local Dollar Store (I don't know if everyone would know what I'm talking about, but around here we have these somewhat trashy little discount stores with lots of cheap merchandise.) and pick up a super cheap floor mat. I can usually find a sample piece of carpet or a small bath mat that's wither black or dark grey. I always have one in the practice room and often another to take to gigs. They're easily rolled and transported in my bell and only cost 1-2 bucks! They're washable or... for 2 bucks, they're almost disposable.

I call 'em my 'spit mats.' The young students get a giggle out of it.

[lgb&dtuba]

Get a cat.

[Randy Beschorner]

Get a cat.

Aim carefully.

[Geotuba]

Get a cat.

Toobist always blames the cat for those puddles on the floor - now I know better

[Toobist]

Hah!

Last time Geo came over to the house, one of my cats left a treat in front of my laundry room. I had to mop it up before we could venture onward to the studio!

How embarassing!

Geo's seen and 'used' that dollar store spit mat of mine.

The cat isn't allowed in the studio, so he hasn't.

[k001k47]

Find any old bucket lying around and use that.
Maybe you'd be able to heat it and soak those shoe-less feet in it.

[The Jackson]

Thanks for all your help, everyone! I'm using a bath towel now, and all is good.

[circusboy]