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Has anyone out there tried starting a Mexican banda? If so, any input would be welcome. I'm in a part of Ca where I could probably come up with a few gigs with such a band. I love the freedom they give to the tuba players for the bass lines.

Barry Guerrero

All bandas that have a tuba player are tuba centric.
Do you mean specifically a Tamborazo? Since there are various styles of music that banda play.
What part of Ca are you in?

I used to have a Banda in Fresno, CA. We would play at local restaurants and quinceaneras. We would do covers of Banda El Recodo, Banda MS, Mariachi Vargas, etc. Our clarinet players would also double on saxophone to make a tamborazo when the vocalist would need a break. Bandas have some of the best opportunities for tuba players. Very strong culture as well as incredibly difficult to play tunes.

When I was in Mexico last month, the bandas I saw on local cable TV had sousaphones for their bass voice.

"Do you mean specifically a Tamborazo?"

I might if I knew what that meant. Do tell. Anyway, I'm in Santa Cruz which is close to Watsonville and Salinas (not to mention San Jose). I don't have a Sousie but wouldn't have much trouble coming up with one. I'd really like to try something using the Neptune and a tall stand. But, whatever! . . . any input is still more than what I know now. It's all appreciated.

Barry Guerrero

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"do you know how to play chords" . .

Yes. I've done plenty of Dixie and Oompah.