Brit vs US placement of tubas/sousaphones parade formation

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:06 pm

Can anyone tell me why there are flutes in a marching band? I've never really understood that. Piccolos, sure, you can hear those...

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:40 pm

tofu wrote:In the photos I recall I should clarify they were raincatchers and not Sousaphones.

Just to (again) exceed my month's quota for being pedantic, I should point out (again) that raincatchers are indeed sousaphones. In fact, they are the original sousaphones, as suggested by Sousa. (Yes, I know Lew said this as well, but it's my turn to be pedantic.)

Sousaphones with forward bells are a later innovation that appeared about the same time as large "basses" with forward bells. I suspect both were motivated by the same influence, which may or may not have been recording.

Sousa must have thought that the forward-bell sousaphone was a violation of his basic goal, which was to provide omnidirectional tuba sound to "float down over the ensemble".

Rick "who hates marching with any tuba" Denney

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:02 pm

What Rick said. And for a picture of the absolute ORIGINAL first sousaphone invented, or rather adapted from helicon design for Sousa by J. W. Pepper, before Conn got ahold of the idea, go here:

http://www.jwpepper.com/history/sousa.html

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:22 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:Can anyone tell me why there are flutes in a marching band? I've never really understood that.

Dating material for the low brass, of course!
____________________________
Joe Baker, who thinks that also explains clarinets, twirlers, and flag corps!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:33 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:Can anyone tell me why there are flutes in a marching band? I've never really understood that. Piccolos, sure, you can hear those...

I liked the company so much, I married one!

sloan · Post by **sloan** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:42 pm

Joe Baker wrote:
Chuck(G) wrote:Can anyone tell me why there are flutes in a marching band? I've never really understood that.
Dating material for the low brass, of course!
____________________________
Joe Baker, who thinks that also explains clarinets, twirlers, and flag corps!

Or, in some cases, marrying material.

I met my wife (flute/picc) in the band, some 35 years ago. We're still playing in the band (several, actually...).

It's a mixed marriage, to be sure - but we decided to bring the children up Low Brass (Euph and Trombone).

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:25 pm

Thanks, Rick.

And those guys at Jacksonville State University are still playing bell-front tubas--recording basses.

Bill

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:17 pm

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:21 pm

Most of us are tuba players here. So you don't have to explain yourself. If you say too much, you might find yourself digging a deep hole you will find difficulty in crawling out of.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:26 pm

tofu wrote:Didn't think calling it a "raincatcher" for short instead of a "raincatcher sousaphone" would get the list police shorts tied up into knots!

I'm the Resident Pedant. It's my job. Sheesh.

Rick "who thinks amateurs should allow professionals to do what they do" Denney

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:29 pm

Book him, Rick.

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:59 pm

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:03 pm

The point is, you should have tried to be concise at first, then you would not have dug this hole. The dirt is coming into my yard.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:13 pm

Yo guys, lighten up!

tubeast · Post by **tubeast** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:59 am

windcatcher-sousaphone

Ein wahres Wort, gelassen ausgesprochen.

ThatÂ´s why the big kids get to play tuba in MS.

sloan · Post by **sloan** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:08 am

tubeast wrote:windcatcher-sousaphone

Ein wahres Wort, gelassen ausgesprochen.
ThatÂ´s why the big kids get to play tuba in MS.

Sowieso.

TubeNet

Brit vs US placement of tubas/sousaphones parade formation

Where should tuba/sousaphone sections be placed in parade units?