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
Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
- Dave Detwiler
- bugler
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- Location: Harleysville, PA
Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
Played an F. E. Olds 4-valve BBb in high school (late '70s)
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
- groovlow
- bugler
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:21 pm
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
Definitive 8/4 BAT
Performance
Put a goofy smile on my face
Thank You
Joe H
Performance
Put a goofy smile on my face
Thank You
Joe H
- tylerferris1213
- 3 valves
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Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
I can only imagine what a bear that thing would be to play!
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
- Paul Scott
- pro musician
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Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
Resistance is not futile......
Adjunct Tuba Professor
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ
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Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
Does that beast take a regular sized mouthpiece?
- Dave Detwiler
- bugler
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- Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:20 pm
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Re: Sam Pilafian playing the Harvard tuba in 1979
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.mikebmiller wrote:Does that beast take a regular sized mouthpiece?
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.
Played an F. E. Olds 4-valve BBb in high school (late '70s)
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand