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I've experienced the same thing that you are talking about on more than one occasion. I've also noticed it when playing with a quintet or other small group and amplified instruments. ie. bass guitar I played around with it a little bit and found that if I could find the right angles I could make some interesting things happen.

Any band arrangement that doesn't have the bass drum in center back and the tubas as close as possible to the bass drum, then the rest of the instrumentation fanning out accordingly, is just asking for timing, phasing, or any other kind of troubles with overall intonation and cohesiveness of the ensemble.

In some groups I've seen the euphoniums more in the middle -in front- of the tubas. I'm assuming this is what the set up James is explaining where the euphoniums are closer to the horns. I thought it was always interesting, that set-up.

The tubas were in front of the bass drum, which should be the norm IMO.

Kayla wrote:The tubas were in front of the bass drum, which should be the norm IMO.

That works, if you don't mind causing your tuba players to lose their hearing (or forcing them to wear earplugs to play, which isn't much better). Once you lose part or all of your hearing, it won't be coming back (Pete Townshend being the best-known example).

I "retired" from playing in concert bands and wind ensembles over 20 years ago precisely because of the forced close proximity to the perconcussion section. I sit way away from the drummer in our trad jazz group.

There must be some outrageously loud percussion sections out there because I've never had that problem yet.

Kayla wrote:There must be some outrageously loud percussion sections out there because I've never had that problem yet.

Oh, there are! Also obnoxiously close ones -- some years ago I played in a union "park band", and (due to the small size of the platform) was seated with my right shoulder pressed against one of the tympani! That was my (painful) introduction to the value of earplugs (I've never been without them since) ...

Maybe we should start a thread in praise of earplugs . . . they are necessary equipment. While in the army, I suffered severe threshhold hearing loss from sitting next to a great, but powerful drum set player. The hearing in my right ear has never been the same . . .

Kevin Hendrick wrote:

Kayla wrote:The tubas were in front of the bass drum, which should be the norm IMO.

That works, if you don't mind causing your tuba players to lose their hearing (or forcing them to wear earplugs to play, which isn't much better). Once you lose part or all of your hearing, it won't be coming back (Pete Townshend being the best-known example).

This is how we set up the California Repercussions: Since we never know exactly how many in each section will show up, sometimes the lines are longer, or two rows of each might happen, but the Sousaphones are always rear center, as close to the bass drum as possible (without blocking sight-lines of other instruments.) This set-up does put the trumpets right in the ears of the Euphonium and Mellophone players, but they do remember to wear ear plugs.

We are a "Street Band" so no amplification, chairs, or music stands, and we can modify the set-up quickly to adjust to location requirements. Takes us less than 60 seconds to march in and be ready to play.

jonesbrass wrote:Maybe we should start a thread in praise of earplugs . . .

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31560&hilit=earplugs" target="_blank

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30475&start=0&hilit=earplugs" target="_blank

Kayla wrote:There must be some outrageously loud percussion sections out there because I've never had that problem yet.

Just guessing here, but you identify yourself as a student at a college. You are probably young and haven't yet observed the rapid disintegration of your hearing.
I never thought all the abuse would hurt me either at college age. Age 40 seems to be a popular age to hear the result--or, not to hear it! By that time, the damage has been done and is irreversible. I waited longer than I should to get hearing aids, driving friends, family and students crazy for years asking them to repeat themselves when speaking to me.I got hearing aids at age 55, not generally considered the age of an old fogey. I really wish I'd listened to people telling me to wear protection over the years, but I knew nothing could happen to ME.

For the past several years the tubas in our band have been on the far right (our right) in the back row with the euphs in front of us. This spring our director decided to move the euphs to the back row to our right and place the F horns where they used to be. No explanation, but he is the only one who hears the full ensemble so I suppose it sounds better to him. I haven't noticed any "resonances", but as the sole Eb tuba, I do often find myself playing similar parts to the euphs next to me. Only negative note: I no longer sit next to our attractive 3d trombone!