What makes a tuba player?

[Rick Denney]

Have you ever noticed how often the tuba player is on the committee of the musical group keeping it running. Must be something about our character

Jonathan "who is currently on the committee of two orchestras and was at one time chairman of a band"

Yup. The band in which I play was founded by a tuba player, is currently conducted by a tuba player, has two tuba players on the board, and the president (me) is a tuba player.

I was also president of an amateur orchestra in Austin, even though I probably played the least of any member of that group.

When the TubaMeisters played at Fiest Texas, the headliner group at that venue was the Sauerkrauts. Their leader was Gary Trumet, a tuba player. And the TubaMeisters themselves always seemed to be the grownups (okay, maybe not always) among the street entertainment people we worked with. Another hard-working beer garden group in Texas is Alpenfest, led by tuba player Mike Barker.

Several of the pro tuba players that are or have been on this list have served in a administrative leadership roles in their orchestras. Considering tuba players are outnumbered by all other sections, it does seem an unusually high likelihood.

Yes, tuba players seem to be willing and able to organize and lead their bands. But I never see any of our names on the sign-up sheet for bringing refreshments for social events.

Rick "who doesn't do cookies" Denney

[Leland]

Yes, tuba players seem to be willing and able to organize and lead their bands. But I never see any of our names on the sign-up sheet for bringing refreshments for social events.

Rick "who doesn't do cookies" Denney

Well, what would we sign up for bringing, other than beer?

[tubatooter1940]

Having tooted every wind instrument, you gotta admit, tuba is far and away the most fun to honk on. We may not woo the women on tuba nut a thousand laughs and beer guzzling friends are guaranteed.

[Leland]

After seeing me drag my case or tour crate up & down the stairs, people have asked, "Don't you wish you that you played flute instead?"

To which I respond, "No, because then I'd have to be a flute player!"

[kegmcnabb]

...not everyone drinks beer and eats barbecue.

WHAT?!?!?!?

"Go on...pull the other one..."

After seeing me drag my case or tour crate up & down the stairs, people have asked, "Don't you wish you that you played flute instead?"

Ya know, when my wife and I owned a campground one of my morning jobs was AM pool duty. Yeah, it was the kind of job I could have assigned to someone, but I really enjoyed the break early in the day to stand by the pool (while cleaning) and think through my day and plan ahead. The only bad part was invariably, someone would come up while I had the skimmer in my hands and ask, "Caught anything yet?" and then laugh...as if it were both funny and original.

It made me feel the same way as when someones says, "Betcha wish you'd played the flute!"

"Why I oughta...."

To which I respond, "No, because then I'd have to be a flute player!"

Good answer!

[LoyalTubist]

One of my first professional experiences I had as a tuba player was as the second tuba player with the Riverside Bicentennial Band in Riverside, Califonia, in 1975-76. The first tuba player was J. David Holder (whom I would love to know where he is now), a Seventh Day Adventist who was a teetotalling vegetarian. He referred to 7Up as "booze." Dave had the tubist's personality and fit in with any group of tuba players.

I was a teetotaller myself until my divorce two years ago--and, no, I haven't turned into a lush.

If you tote your case around with you when you go out, people will make the ubiquitous flute comment--"Makes you wish you played the piccolo." If you use a gig bag and don't make a big deal about carrying it, it lessens those comments.

[LoyalTubist]

Yes, tuba players seem to be willing and able to organize and lead their bands. But I never see any of our names on the sign-up sheet for bringing refreshments for social events.

Rick "who doesn't do cookies" Denney

Well, what would we sign up for bringing, other than beer?

I bring cookies but not everyone is happy with my choices. The last time I did this back in California, I brought durian sugar creme wafers. I love these! If you don't know these cookies, go to an Asian supermarket. For those who live in Southern California, Las Vegas, Atlanta, or a few other places I can't think of right now, the 99 Ranch Market is a good place for people looking for authentic Asian food of several nationalities, and the prices are comparable to your regular supermarket. A package of durian sugar creme wafers will probably set you back about a buck and a half.

You might also consider bringing a durian--a hulled fruit that hails from Southeast Asia... Durians are also sold at the 99 Ranch Market when they are in season in Thailand. But heed the warning below:

[MichaelDenney]

Leland wrote

then I'd have to be a flute player!

Not only a good answer but right on the mark, although the guy flute player in my big college band did get to know well and date some lovely girl flutists. Whereas we low brass players lived a monastic life in the back row.

[Rick Denney]

Whereas we low brass players lived a monastic life in the back row.

It ain't because we are on the back row.

Rick "noting, however, the large number of tuba players who had or have flute player partners" Denney

[LoyalTubist]

I remember one orchestra I was with... we were playing at a church and they promised to have child care for the orchestra members. Well, no one told that to the person in charge of child care. Most of the children belonged to the string players, so the bass bone player (wouldn't you know it?) said we (the trombone players and tuba player) could watch the kids... for a price. The price was $3 an hour, which was then what teenagers got for watching kids. Our helpful bass trombonist said, "We aren't playing much music and we are already getting paid for the job. (I thought, Speak for yourself, guy!)

We were playing Brahms German Requiem!