The Dark Tuba Topic: SPIT!

[tubatooter1940]

Whenever we play inside-nice floor or not, I drape a white towel (in memory of Louis Armstrong) twice over the bottom bow of my tuba.
People notice and appreciate it.

[Philip Jensen]

I bought a small brass spittoon for $5 at a junk shop ( I saw lots for $25-40 but waited and kept looking for a better price). I still place it on a towel. When I have a rehearsal at someone's house, or a perfomance at a nice venue, I just wrap the spitton in the towel and put in the bell for transport (after first making sure it is dry).

[Ryan_Beucke]

Given a player's breath temperature, frequency of exhaling, volume of air, the outside temperature, and the total area of exposed metal inside a tuba, it's a wonder that there isn't *MORE* condensation...

Still believe that it's spit? Try spitting THAT much, even over a couple of hours!

Of course, condensation is merely humid breath striking relatively cold metal. What makes breath humid? The same stuff that makes spit wet, right?

Rick "not underestimating the effects of condensation, even if what is condensing is mostly saliva" Denney

Water is a byproduct of converting oxygen to carbon dioxide. I couldn't find the formula right away, but I know this is true.

[iiipopes]

Actually, it's not the conversion of H2O to or from CO2. It's the exchange of blood CO2 for O2 by the alveoli in your lungs to expel the CO2 through exhalation, which is a byproduct of metabolism, and H2O vapor is exhaled as well as a secondary elimination of water after your kidneys and skin, keeping the trachea mucus moist so the cillae can do their job of filtering and expelling particulate matter. Granted, both H2O and CO2 are byproducts of metabolism, and excess of both must be eliminated

[Ryan_Beucke]

I knew someone would be able to describe it in more detail

My point (albeit not exactly correct) was that it's not spit evaporated, but rather actual water.

[LoyalTubist]

I bought a small brass spittoon...

Get together with my doctor friend and we can make some home brew beer. The extra oxygen might aid the carbonation.

[windshieldbug]

Get together with my doctor friend and we can make some home brew beer. The extra oxygen might aid the carbonation

Or those of us who might be tempted to swim through the beer...

[Rick Denney]

I knew someone would be able to describe it in more detail

My point (albeit not exactly correct) was that it's not spit evaporated, but rather actual water.

Of course, saliva is mostly water. In fact, we are all mostly water.

Rick "thinking it doesn't take much 'other stuff' to add the Spouse Disgust Effect" Denney

[LoyalTubist]

As for the spouse thing, my ex-wife had no idea how nasty brass players got with their spit. The girl I plan to marry now has been thoroughly enlightened as to what brass instruments do. I don't know why, but I was never attracted to musicians. My ex-wife was a business major in college; my girlfriend majored in computer science (it's even more of a mixed relationship because I am a Mac person and she is PC.)

[Teubonium]

That puddle of "spit" on the floor that is taken for granted by brass players is often found to be disgusting by non-brass players and especially non-musicians!

I always put a towel on the floor to drain into at rehearsals and concerts (unless outdoors on grass). Especially when on a tiled floor. After the chairs and stands are put away, that puddle presents a safety hazard! I'd hate to see someone slip in it and fall on their *** (again!).

[TubaRay]

(it's even more of a mixed relationship because I am a Mac person and she is PC.)

Now that's a mixed relationship!

[windshieldbug]

(it's even more of a mixed relationship because I am a Mac person and she is PC.)

Interracial!

[tubafatness]

This summer I found out the hard way that if you drink Gatorade during a concert, flys will buzz around your sugary spit puddle. Took me 3 concerts to figure that one out. Needless to say I switched to a less sugary drink.

[tubatooter1940]

'' my girlfriend majored in computer science (it's even more of a mixed relationship because I am a Mac person and she is PC.)"

[/quote] by LoyalTubist


It must be true that opposites attract.

[iiipopes]

You know, some states used to have laws prohibiting such....

[XtremeEuph]

could be harmful to the tuba too, keep that in mind. But im sure not everyone goes and brushes their teeth before every single time they play.

[LoyalTubist]

I am aware that 55 years ago, in the state of California, it would have been illegal for me to marry either either my ex-wife or my current girlfriend because of race... my ex-wife is Chinese and my girlfriend is Vietnamese. But I always fall in love with someone who shares my core religious and moral values.

[windshieldbug]

This summer I found out the hard way that if you drink Gatorade during a concert, flys will buzz around your sugary spit puddle. Took me 3 concerts to figure that one out. Needless to say I switched to a less sugary drink.

And the flies that were buzzing around your tuba bell are just usually there?

[iiipopes]

I am aware that 55 years ago, in the state of California, it would have been illegal for me to marry either either my ex-wife or my current girlfriend because of race... my ex-wife is Chinese and my girlfriend is Vietnamese. But I always fall in love with someone who shares my core religious and moral values.

Indeed. Now if only more people would look at it that way, as my wife and I do as well, instead of looking for some nebulous "compatability" issue or just physical attraction. I believe that's why more (boy or girl) next door marriages work better, because those cores are already there, as well as the tolerances, growing up. Now to end before I get off on a tangent.

Oh, yeah, spit -- I think the spittoon is a good idea, as long as it is small enough to wash in the dishwasher -- good detergent, very hot water, and a sterilization cycle so it doesn't crud up.

[Dean E]

All you need to do is aim before you drain...

We are still talking spit here, aren't we?

How about modifying the horn's water valve to accept a small brass plumbing nipple the correct diameter for a Stadium Pal catheter and collection bag?

Simply hang the collection bag from a lower branch on the tuba, and have a contest to see which tuba section member can fill up the bag first! I don't know what the prize would be, other than fame and becoming an urban legend.