What kind of tuba player are you?

[Coffeescar]

I play in a community brass quintet, and we're currently working on a polka routine for this coming Oktoberfest, where we're going to be playing at the local German American Society. It's unpaid but we're going to get 'free' beer and dinner, so I'm happy with the deal. Granted I'm not the best player, but I can keep in tempo after 6 beers, so I think I'll be able to handle it.

I'd like to try out for the community orchestra, which again is unpaid, but sadly work obligations prevent me from joining up right now, hopefully the time next year I'll be working a job where I have evenings and Saturdays free.

[AndyCat]

I make a little money from playing in my 10 piece, the odd big band/orchestra gig and some shows. Maybe 2 months worth of my salaried IT "career". I presume I'll eventually earn more from teaching, conducting and playing when I retire from my "career".

The main of my playing is with Foden's band, which is a massively higher level, yet unpaid, than any of the paid work I do. Welcome to the British Band scene!

[Radar]

I'm mostly an enthusiast who makes a little money on the side (although a majority of my paying gigs are Bass trombone these days). In my youth I did the Drum corp thing playing in a DCI, and DCA Corp on baritone, as well as Euphonium in school bands, I did 6 years in the Navy as a non-musician but managed to play in a pick up band aboard ship (on Cornet I needed a instrument that was portable). When I got out of the Navy I joined a local Fire Department Band, and was recruited by the local Army Reserve Band on Euphonium from there, I did 15 years with the Army Reserve Band got my 20 year letter and retired from there. Since getting out of the Navy besides the Army Reserve Band I've played in Fire Department Marching Bands (we actually get a little money and free beer for these), I've played Bass Trombone in a few area Big Bands, as well as doing Church Gigs, pit orchestras, and Community concert bands. I picked up Tuba about 6 years ago, when the Fire Department Band I was in had a couple of gigs with two Euphoniums and No Tubas. I took one of the bands Sousaphones home and started working on it, and I've fallen in Love with the Tuba. I rarely play Euphonium these days, since there is much more demand for Tuba and Bass bone at least in my circle of bands.

[Antontuba]

Enthusiast here, playing in 3 orchestras, a community band, and a quintet. One orchestra is summer only, and another usually needs tuba for one selection each concert. The goal is how proficient can I get.

[MaryAnn]

I am the kind who is welcomed in any and all community groups because I can play in pitch, on time, with confidence, with the conductor and with decent sound, despite the fact that not in a million years could I play the VW concerto.

[pete edwards]

trombonist. I play bass trombone mostly because tuba players are more fun to hang out with.