What's the best thing you've ever learned on tubenet?

[bearphonium]

I have learned a ton of things about mouthpieces, horns, what to look for in a horn, that cyber-networking can work, that there are some posters who will get me to read a thread that I wouldn't ordinarly read until I see their name there. I got my tuba off the "for sale" section of this site, and have been surprised at how perfect a fit it is for me (in spite of my severe case of tuba aquisition syndrome ).

I have learned how to reheat pizza, mix up some tasty alternative beverages (when beer won't do), gotten a peek into what it takes to communicate with the written word as a true dyslexic, what a troll is, some ideas for improving range and breathing, and what it takes to be a resident genius.

Ally"soaking it up like a sponge"House

[Jarrad-Bittner]

I think that it is great to see that I go through the same problems and issues that other players go through. On the same line, the fact that every player on this forum is willing to help when one encounters a problem. It makes me glad to be a tuba player.

[Steve Marcus]

This isn't exactly "something that I've learned from TubeNet," but it is the greatest benefit that I've enjoyed being a member.

For most of us, the purchase of a tuba is a major investment. Since the members of TubeNet, professionals and amateurs alike, are such a close-knit community, I have had the confidence and assurance to purchase 3 tubas from private sellers whom I did not know personally from various regions of the country. The initial connections and subsequent communications that TubeNet enabled engendered a sense of security and trust that would have been absent or next to impossible in other forums and media such as __Bay, __raigslist, etc. All 3 sellers were flexible with their trial terms, shipping arrangements, etc.

[k001k47]

I've learned what a tuba is.

[Rick Denney]

I could not possibly narrow it down to one thing. A large percentage of what I know about tubas and tuba playing came from my involvement with Tubenet.

The most valuable result of my Tubenet involvement is the large body of good friends, spread all over the world, with any of whom I could share a meal or a beer and chat like old friends, even if I have never met them face to face. They range from duffers like me to world-class performers. Beyond amazing.

Rick "with too many 'aha!' moments to count" Denney

[Chuck Jackson]

What I find particulary amazing is the sheer amount of information I have found here and through links to other sights that have led to other sights that have led to others. What I find even more amazing is the simple fact that just because one is tech-savvy that they assume they are all knowing, in this regards I mean the younger members of this esteemed board. Too many think they know more than the seasoned pro's and are not content to sit back and listen. The blessing and the curse of the computer age is exactly this. When I was young, one had to travel a ways to hear what can be had at ones finger tips now. We have lost the knack, or ability, to watch as well as listen and learn from listening rather than saying. I was thinking today as I taught a class how lucky kids are that they have this information and yet how much more it might mean to them if they had to really seek it out. Case in point: when I was in school most of the music I performed wasn't recorded so I had to make musical decisions on my own without the input of technology. I remember I had learned the entire VW Concerto before I heard John Fletcher's recording. I was amazed at what he did, but limited the input of his ideas as mine were so ingrained as to be second nature. That searching process was the most fun I have had as a musician. I was like a kid in a candy shop when the Torchinsky books came out. Geez, real parts you could follow and not guess where you came in, simply amazing. Up until that time I used whatever books were available, read Kevin Ladd's HAND COPIED excerpts, and sought out scores. Now a days, everything is at hand. I both envy and feel sorry for the young generation, they have it all, but at the same time they have it all. The journey is 90% of the fun.

Chuck

[windshieldbug]

The journey is 90% of the fun.

and TubeNet is a huge part of that journey, now.

[Craig Garner]

I learned (or at least rediscovered) how much fun and entertaining it is to be around people who are passionate about what they do. I don't post a lot, but I do stop by TubeNet just to see what folks are talking about...a new piece they have heard or played, a performer they just discovered, a new recording, new equipment, or whatever. If you are passionate about what you do, even the most mundane conversations are interesting.

[tofu]

[WakinAZ]

I learned that you are much better off buying used than buying new most of the time. That being said, it took me buying and selling four new horns to learn that hard lesson.

Eric "currently looking for a good used 14K or 38/40K sousa" L.