Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Dave Detwiler · Post by **Dave Detwiler** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:51 pm

Hi all,

In the process of writing the first of three upcoming articles on the Harvard tuba for The Brass Herald, I was supplied with a recording of the late Sam Pilafian playing that historic horn back in 1979. The Harvard Band graciously granted me permission to post a YouTube video so that the world can hear Sam wrangle this beast and coax music out of it!

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSpQ2Sh1UUo

Enjoy!
Dave

groovlow · Post by **groovlow** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:13 pm

Definitive 8/4 BAT
Performance

Put a goofy smile on my face
Thank You
Joe H

tylerferris1213 · Post by **tylerferris1213** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:22 pm

I can only imagine what a bear that thing would be to play!

Paul Scott · Post by **Paul Scott** » Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:13 am

Resistance is not futile......

mikebmiller · Post by **mikebmiller** » Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:08 pm

Does that beast take a regular sized mouthpiece?

Dave Detwiler · Post by **Dave Detwiler** » Sun Jun 23, 2019 8:04 am

mikebmiller wrote:Does that beast take a regular sized mouthpiece?

According to Tom Everett, the Harvard Band director from 1971-2013, the original mouthpiece had gone missing, but they created a replacement with the proper sized shank, but it was playable. Tom thinks that's what Sam used for the performance, although he had initially practiced with his own mouthpiece, along with a shank adapter.

Dillon Music is just about finished with the full restoration of that historic horn, and they created a new mouthpiece for it. I'll be seeing that soon, and will report back.

TubeNet

Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979

Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979