Sousaphone in Jazz Band

[Noah23767]

I'm currently in my highschool jazz band on trombone, but I'm a euph/tuba player by trade. My band director decided to capitalize on this and has us playing a lot of New Orleans Jazz where I'm on the sousaphone. He gave me some Wycliffe Gordon to listen to and I was amazed by the rips he could do on the sousa. My question is how are you able to rip like that on a sousa?

[David Richoux]

Wycliffe Gordon is more noted for his trombone playing - what videos are you referencing?

if you want to see/hear more Sousaphone jazz, check out Matt Perrine, Nat McIntosh, or Kirk Joseph (but there are many other good blowers...)

Two tricks for "Rips" are: stick a mic way down the bell of the horn, and experiment with half-valve to full open positions. It takes a lot of messing about and being well warmed up to be consistant, but you will probably get there with practice.

Dave Richoux

[TUbajohn20J]

I think sousaphones are awesome for jazz bands. The way I do rips is hold all the valves down all the way, and play really loud starting mid range, then slurring up high, then back down. REALLY FAST! Some people prefer to move the valves while doing it, but I think its easier to keep them pressed down and doing it all with my mouth.

[imperialbari]

Wycliffe Gordon is more noted for his trombone playing - what videos are you referencing?

if you want to see/hear more Sousaphone jazz, check out Matt Perrine, Nat McIntosh, or Kirk Joseph (but there are many other good blowers...)

Two tricks for "Rips" are: stick a mic way down the bell of the horn, and experiment with half-valve to full open positions. It takes a lot of messing about and being well warmed up to be consistant, but you will probably get there with practice.

Dave Richoux

David used to argue sousaphone rips being a trunkated natural gift: