Essentials for Tuba playing
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:00 pm
I was thinking that very same thing, TW--When I was in the 1st Team Band 20+ years ago, we carried a large black leather pouch full of music in addition to a music folder. We did dismount differently--lifted the horn up and over your head to your right shoulder then lower it down to your right side. After the band was called to attention, you would bring the horn up to rest on your right shoulder briefly then lift up and over your head (move the horn around you, not you around the horn--just like your rifle right?) to your left shoulder--easier on your knees, back, and shoulders.TWTuba wrote:Instructional, to say the least. I hope this sousaphone player has his entire pouch memorized. Otherwise, he should have his folder in his left hand.
This is an example of the SOM teaching something that is NOT being done out in the field. Every sousaphone player knows you LOCK your mouthpiece/neck in place--especially when you're going to be holding music in your left hand. It reminds me of what my first 1st Sergeant told me when I arrived at Ft Hood for my first assignment (this is the clean polite version): "Johnson, all that ?!#@%&* they taught you in school get it out of your head NOW--we will teach you the RIGHT way!"jonesbrass wrote:Interesting. We didn't have this kind of technology when I went through AIT. Kind of cool, though. I don't remember EVER messing with the neck of my sousa on "horns up." Times change, however, and uniformity is the key. BTW - the new E4 is never the one to make the decisions on these kind of things, it's always the burned-out grumpy E6 or E7. You get paid to do what they tell you to do.