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Yeah, sure I would, Joe. But that's a HUGE "if". To almost any MD, bell up=good; bell any other way=bad.

I use a helicon for jazz and for tubachristmas because I like to play standing up and I like to have a hand free to adjust knobs and pick my nose.
I use an upright tuba for "legit" stuff such as concert bands, symphony orchestras, brass quintets, etc. because they involve a lot of non-playing time. The horn gets heavy during tacet movments and long rests, and the upright is easier to put down on the floor and pick up again. A helicon can be cumbersome on a crowded stage.
Aside from those considerations, I think most people (even musicians) don't notice the difference.

I use my Eb helicon for jazz and oompah gigs. I took it out on an outdoor quintet gig a week ago, and between my fingers fighting the F tuba muscle memory, and the fairly serious pitch problems with five brass instruments in the freezing cold, it was not a rewarding experience. However, the sound blended just fine, and the ugly old horn got lots of attention on the street.

I used the helicon with the Marine Band about two years ago, while recording a CD of the music of Charles Ives. His piece "Jerusalem The Golden" is scored for a six-piece brass band and a full concert band together. The fine print at the bottom of the tuba part stated that a helicon was preferred, but if none were available, use an Eb tuba. My helicon and three Eb alto horns... what an experience in uncertain intonation. Well, I guess that was the intended effect, it's Ives.

If the horn gets the gig done, use it. If you've got a choice of horns, choose the best horn for the gig.

Go for it José!

As long as you can enter your lifebuoy, then it is a proof, that your work-out programme is effective.

And please don't forget to relay my liking of the work of the photographer: you look just so much better on slightly blurred photos!

Carolus Marxius Nottookindius

The REAL quesion is:

Is it the best sounding horn you have? If so, why not? If not, why?

What? Just play what sounds BEST with no social or political commentary? What are you some kind of heretic?

Thanks for saying it.

I'd say this is a bit of a loaded question, from how you were talking about the thing when you finished it. I think, too, that because you did so nice of a job finishing the horn, that people may give you a break about the fact that it wraps around you due to the fact that it's satin silver with gold. If it looks expensive enough, they might assume it's a good horn.

I was going to say no but after looking at the beast you are talking about I think I will change my mind. That is a sweet looking horn. To me it looks like a concert tuba just twisted in a different fashion. I personally would want to use it just for the glare from the conductor.

Ben

bloke wrote:any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

You better keep that Wenger chair. And please don't forget to use it!

It's a menace to schlepp along with any circular bassophone, but that's what kids are for.

Carolus Marximus Dompteurius

Art Hovey wrote:I use a helicon for jazz and for tubachristmas because I like to play standing up and I like to have a hand free to adjust knobs and pick my nose.
I use an upright tuba for "legit" stuff such as concert bands, symphony orchestras, brass quintets, etc. because they involve a lot of non-playing time. The horn gets heavy during tacet movments and long rests, and the upright is easier to put down on the floor and pick up again. A helicon can be cumbersome on a crowded stage.
Aside from those considerations, I think most people (even musicians) don't notice the difference.

Those are the two points that convinced me to vote "never". Holding the weight of a sousaphone/helicon is something I'd rather never do again, plus putting such a beast down on a crowded stage would be a nightmare.From a personal standpoint, I'm adamantly against it, but musically, if it is a great player like Bloke says, I'd have done it in a minute 30 years ago!

I voted for yes, I would want to use the helicon. As one who regularly plays the sousaphone, trying out the helicon would be rather easy. The only thing is the bell being pointed in a different way. It's something I would want to try this out down the road. Just like sousaphones, helicons need to be more accepted by everyone in the music world.

Hank74

bloke wrote:any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

All right, I was there, and even blew a note or two on the thing*
Sounded wonderfull. I'll not comment on the rest of the concert, but the tuba sounded great. Getting the mute in was a smooth trick too. (Why did you have it on the chzair for the first half?)

On complaint, you should have stood up. Get a stool like the basses use. The helicon looked funny with you sitting down:)

* I also played the F (really cool slide trigger) and the little Eb helicon. I never knew just how weird other pitches would be. Every thing squaked.When Joe played them though, they sang.

Thanks for the hospitality. Love the house. Never change the floors.

bloke wrote:any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

Which is exactly why I wouldn't consider it. My shoulder is still sore from playing sousaphone in high school, and that was 30 years ago.

Rick "who uses a stand for upright tubas, too" Denney

I'd show up with a garden hose if it made the best sound in my inventory.

bloke wrote: "To what does your 'Signature' comment refer anyway?"

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