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Made the local rag playing my horn for the second time in my life:


The first time was 20 years ago when I played with the Tuba Santas in Bloomington, IN (photo thankfully unavailable).

Equipment: YBB-641 out on trial, TU-33, Tuba Tamer, 1 white unphotogenic dork.

Someone had better close that case in the back, it might get stepped on.

The question, WakinAZ is, are you having a good time? I bet that you are and that is reason enough to continue.
Tonight we played a benefit for muscular dystrophy at the fair grounds in Mobile. The sound men were wonderfully equipped, experienced and had us sounding better than our best.
The kids in the wheel chairs were able to line dance with the aid of some pretty young girls. Huge room, tons of people showed up and a barbeque competion (guys with semi - trucks big as Schlepporello's - just to carry their grill and supplies) - what a party!
We invited Coconut Dave to join us to play steel drums and sing. He didn't seem to mind our weird keys and played pans on the material he knew and rhythm with back up vocals when we were in Eb or Ab. Dave did good! It was such a pleasure to meet him and his sweet wife. We plan to get with those guys again - soon.
This is why, at age 66, I love to give my wife a break and go out and play a little boogie tuba. I get to play with real friends, play fun music with players of my ability and better, as well as get an enthusiastic response from a wide variety of audiences. I didn't know I would have this much fun until after I turned into an old geezer.
It was a fun night and now I gotta take my barbeque - laden bones to bed.
Good night, gang,
Dennis

Dennis, You should recognize some of Eric's equipment. Bet he doesn't have to deal with a 30 mph wind off the ocean, though. Is it still holding your horn ok?

Wind + Sousaphones = TROUBLE!

On a high school band trip up to Montreal, I had the bell of my sousie blow completely off in a very strong wind right on the St Lawrence River. My fault for not reporting that the set screws were beginning to strip, but my director said (in my defense) that we probably shouldn't have been playing in those conditions anyway.

I was physically pushed back off balance by a wind gust when playing my recording bass last fall. That 22" bell became a very effective sail. Although I did not get tipped over, I played the rest of the outdoor concert in a protective, leaning forward about 45 degree crouch.

Dennis, when it stops being fun, I have learned to find a different group. I was playing in a supposedly more advanced wind ensemble that had a very busy schedule for an amateur group - "professional schedule for no pay", as a fellow tubist put it. It took me a couple of times in and out of that group to realize what was going wrong.

And yes, schlepp, I find new reasons to be humble every day.

tbn.al wrote:Dennis, You should recognize some of Eric's equipment. Bet he doesn't have to deal with a 30 mph wind off the ocean, though. Is it still holding your horn ok?

You bet, Al. The Tubatamer you sent me looks great and works perfectly.
I wouldn't dream of playing an outside gig without it. Blow wind blow.