TubeNet

Hi. Before the term BAT becomes firmly embedded in the vernacular, is it serving the publc i m a g e we want to build? “BAT” is inprecise and subjective. Although the sizing terms 3/4, 4/4, 5/4 are a little dry and also inprecise, band teachers, instrument manufucturers, even parents, seem to understand the concept.
People outside of North America don't "get" the BAT implication, and when I mention the term BAT (with the required clarification) to colleagues, the reaction is usually a weak smile and that familiar look of condescension "oh yes, tuba players”............" Ask your friends whose first language is something other than English to translate BAT into Finnish, French, Esperanto or Quechua - it doesn't translate well. Unlike Seinfeld, BAT is only funny the first time. The tuba pioneers spent some time to establish dignity for the instrument.

NOTE TO READERS: What you are going to see in the next 8 posts is going to seem really, really strange. Sean was playing with some settings that messed with our content. It was unintentional terrorism on his part. Basically, everywhere you see the word "BAT" (or any equivalent -- B..A..T for example) it was suddenly replaced by "tuba". Which had Kattnott saying we shouldn't say "tuba", and me saying "tuba is a perfectly good word for "tuba". Which confused some people. And amused others. Anyway, without further ado...

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Perhaps you should take up a more dignified instrument. May I recommend the harp?
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Joe Baker, who is thinking "oh yes, the harpists............"

It's become part of the jargon, like it or not. That's the way languages work: by consensus. Feel free to rail on, though...

If BAT becomes popular, perhaps SAT too, for French players.

I guess I don't get it.

If not "tuba" then what?

WHA???? Is this going to happen on every post? everywhere I typed "B..A..T" it has been changed to "TUBA". Sean, is this your doing, or did Kathott insert a little HTML cleverness? In any case, I'll now fix my post...

jlbreyer wrote:I guess I don't get it.

If not "tuba" then what?

He originally was decrying the term "B-A-T". Go back to his post, and plug in "B-A-T" everywhere it now says "TUBA". Perhaps he has changed his mind?

I think he expected broader agreement with his original opinion. While I disagree, I was probably a little rude, especially to be addressing a relative newcomer to Tubenet. Kathott, please accept my apology for being dismissive. I've just spent 30-some-odd years enjoying being a tuba player -- pretty much quit playing trombone because I liked WHAT IT MEANT to be a tuba player BETTER. I don't want our image "fixed". I just don't really care what the trumpet players think. You, of course, are free to feel differently, describe your instrument differently, and advocate differently.
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Joe Baker, who's been a little too feisty just lately.

This is quite confusing...

I thought he was originally concerned with the term "BAT," not tuba.

****hmmm....see posts above and below*****

Amazing...

Upon posting my text was changed automatically from the ubiquitous acronym for a "big a***d tuba" to the actual word tuba.

Am I the only one that finds this weird and/or extreme?

It was supposed to be a joke.

All is well now.

How about BAH!! (Big A** Horn)???
examples:
Nice BAH! Check out my BAH! How is flat is the third partial on your BAH?

OK then...

It is once again OK to use the term BAT on TubeNet...

Anybody reading this thread at this point in time will have no idea what went on here and ya know what....that's probably just fine.

Let's all forget this thread ever existed and talk about what really matters....pistons or rotors, funnels or bowels, BBb or CC, biscuits or gravy....

WoodSheddin wrote:It was supposed to be a joke.

Actually, it was pretty funny!

kegmcnabb wrote: funnels or bowels

oops...I meant to say bowls

kegmcnabb wrote:...funnels or bowels...

Must...resist...must...resist...

Rick "dieing over here" Denney

Sean, maybe you could substitute "bowl" for "bowel"?
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Joe Baker, who wonders how many people will notice that Gene Pokorny was, for a moment, our resident genius?

kathott wrote:Hi, Its a small point, BUT, before the term BAT becomes firmly embedded in the vernacular, is it serving the i m a g e ?

Which image would that be? The image that tuba players are regular folks who might be willing to have a beer with the patrons? The image that a symphony professional might be willing to play next to a 7th-grade beginner while both are freezing their tushes at a TubaChristmas? The image that tuba players know fun when they see it? The image that tuba players can poke fun at themselves? The image that tuba players, in particular, don't take themselves too seriously?

I'm just wondering which image you want to serve.

Rick "who doesn't use the term BAT with non-tuba-players, unless they seem like they have a sense of humor" Denney

WoodSheddin wrote:All is well now.

O...kay.

Rick "taking a valium" Denney

kegmcnabb wrote:OK then...
pistons or rotors, funnels or bowels, BBb or CC, biscuits or gravy....

That settles it for me. I'm gonna continue to play a funnel-shaped mouthpiece. That's that!

As much as I may personally object to the use of expletives in the modern vernacular, it is there. The term BAT is pretty well embedded and it is not going anywhere soon. If you don't like it, don't use it. If it is a problem for you, it's your problem, don't make it someone else's. Don't become more of a part of the political correctness movement than you have to.

Sousie

bloke wrote:bloke "who can think of a couple of elder statesmen folk - admittedly fine noted players - who possibly got to be a bit too serious about themselves and 'the tuba' in general...such as trying to coin words back in the 1970's such as 'tubist', and then getting p*ssed off on tubaeuph when someone fairly recently poked a bit of fun... http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?b ... &x=15&y=14 "

Gee...

Maybe it's because I grew up in the 70's but I had always heard and used the term tubist. Personally, I like the sound, finding it a bit less cumbersome than tubaist. Think I'll start a poll.

However,

What is the story you refer to, Bloke?

bloke wrote:

What is the story you refer to, Bloke?

I'll not say. If you start all of that cr*p up again however, you'll just get a rehash of Rick Denney and me arguing over whether we bathe in a "tub", play a "tub" or play a "tuba"...

Oops....too late!