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Tubenetters-

A few weeks ago, I had a gig at the pentagon. Air Force Pentagon awards ceremony, or something of the sort. It's an air force brass quintet job- play some pre-game, maybe the anthem, and the air force song at the end. A routine, everyday sort of affair for those of us in the service bands.

Earlier that day, when I gave the mouthpiece pouch a pre-departure pat (to insure there actually was a mouthpiece present in my case), everything checked out. Mouthpiece-shaped item was indeed there.

At the gig, however, this proved to be the only mouthpiece-shaped item I had...


Oh dear! A suggestion from the trombonist, and some borrowed duct tape from the sound guys.... Voila!


How did it sound? Eh... not great. But not so bad, either.

Whew.

By the way, if I don't have enough skill to take an actual mouthpiece to a gig, don't count on me posting pictures that work...

Impressive improvisational skills, though!

Someone needs to ask, so I will be the one. What is the story behind the "partial" mouthpiece that you inadvertently took to the gig?

The cut-out mouthpiece is just a practice tool- a cross between a BERP and a rim. You can buzz on it with it inserted in the instrument and finger at the same time, or just hold it in your hand.

I think I stole- oops, borrowed- this particular one from Scott Watson ten years ago.

Adapt, improvise and overcome!

Other uses... http://www.ducttapeguys.com/diner" target="_blank

Ha! Thanks for sharing that Jess!

Not only did I laugh my butt off, but so did the people in my band who were eating breakfast with me on tour!

I don't know whether to laugh heartily or look around warily as it could happen to me!

I only have had one "forgotten mouthpiece" experience - playing in the Churchill Street Jazz Band for a "Gatsby Night" party at UC Berkeley - about 30 miles from home. I was more than half way there when I decided to recheck my gig bag for mouthpiece, nothing! Since it was 7 PM already, I knew all the music stores would be closed, so I headed over the Bay Bridge to San Francisco. Turk Murphy's jazz band was playing every night at Earthquake McGoon's and I knew Bill Carroll was there on tuba. Luckily he had an extra mouthpiece I could borrow, so I got it (and arrived at the gig just in time for the downbeat.) This was long before cell phones - I had no assurance Bill would have an extra mouthpiece...

Anybody tried to make such visualizer/buzzer on basis of a Kelly plastic mpc?

Klaus

PS: I know who will be back in 5 minutes after a visit to the garage and tell: Yes, I have!