Non-military band military tubists...
-
CJ Krause
- 4 valves
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:39 am
- Location: NW Dallas
- Contact:
-
Lee Stofer
- 4 valves
- Posts: 935
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:50 am
Do you wish to continue in music in the military as a professional musician, or play off-duty as an amateur? If you want to be a professional player, I don't see how ROTC will do you any good, as instrumentalists in all branches of the service are enlisted, not officers. If you wish to be a band officer, then ROTC might help you, and don't expect to have much time to play - ever. That is the main reason I was enlisted, and remained so for my whole career, for I only wanted to play.
If you plan to be an enlisted musician in one of the services, I would encourage you to keep your hefty VMI. The bands will provide you decent equipment to do all your military jobs, but you'll want your own instrument for off-duty gigs.
The Air Force, and the other services, have a fine band program, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd pick the US Army again. They have by far the largest program and the most opportunities. I would not trade my time in Germany (6 1/2 years) for anything!
If you plan to be an enlisted musician in one of the services, I would encourage you to keep your hefty VMI. The bands will provide you decent equipment to do all your military jobs, but you'll want your own instrument for off-duty gigs.
The Air Force, and the other services, have a fine band program, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd pick the US Army again. They have by far the largest program and the most opportunities. I would not trade my time in Germany (6 1/2 years) for anything!
Lee A. Stofer, Jr.
-
Leland
- pro musician
- Posts: 1651
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:54 am
- Location: Washington, DC
I do have a 3302, but I don't use it for my job in the US Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. I did use the 3302 in the Marine Band tuba audition in March, but the instrument wasn't a factor in how I played.
Lee's posted good advice. ROTC isn't necessary for enlisted service, but it won't keep you out of the enlisted ranks, either.
People say that the Air Force's "regular" (non-premiere bands outside of DC) generally have higher musicianship when compared to the other services' bands. You probably wouldn't be disappointed with the talent you'd be working with.
I don't see a problem with keeping your 3302, either. What matters is how you play, not what you play on. Any band would have instruments of their own for your use (including sousaphones), but I don't think any band requires their players to use the issued instruments while leaving personal ones at home.
Lee's posted good advice. ROTC isn't necessary for enlisted service, but it won't keep you out of the enlisted ranks, either.
People say that the Air Force's "regular" (non-premiere bands outside of DC) generally have higher musicianship when compared to the other services' bands. You probably wouldn't be disappointed with the talent you'd be working with.
I don't see a problem with keeping your 3302, either. What matters is how you play, not what you play on. Any band would have instruments of their own for your use (including sousaphones), but I don't think any band requires their players to use the issued instruments while leaving personal ones at home.
-
Leland
- pro musician
- Posts: 1651
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:54 am
- Location: Washington, DC
Maybe what I can't figure out is why someone would think of getting rid of a horn based solely on the profession they'll be going into. The idea is so unthinkable that the only reason I could see for the original post was to ask about using that tuba in a service band. If not, then it's my mistake.
If the flexibility of the instrument is a consideration for off-duty playing, then the 3302 will do just fine. It's a really nice tuba, bold enough for larger ensembles and clear enough for quintet or smaller. Using only two mouthpieces of different volumes will give you enough range of sounds for 95% or better of anything you'll do on contrabass tuba.
If the flexibility of the instrument is a consideration for off-duty playing, then the 3302 will do just fine. It's a really nice tuba, bold enough for larger ensembles and clear enough for quintet or smaller. Using only two mouthpieces of different volumes will give you enough range of sounds for 95% or better of anything you'll do on contrabass tuba.