TubaChristmas suggestion for Sousaphones

Hank74 · Post by **Hank74** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:25 pm

Here is a suggestion for you sousaphonists who are still planning to play at a TubaChristmas. Most of you are probably going to have to stand up, be it in the cold or inside, and deal with playing a large instrument where holding the green book can be a chore. Try doing that while playing the notes on one hand while holding the book and the instrument and the mouthpiece in the other.

Here is a simple suggestion. Get a lyre and some flip folders from the music store, like you would for a marching band during the summer and fall. Then take the excepts from the green TC book and have it copied, but to a reduced level of only 65%. Using those copies, cut them out and fit them inside the flip folders. You will now have both hands free once again to hold and play the great sousaphone while reading the music for TC.

On another topic, would anyone have pictures from the NYC TC from yesterday. Send me a pm or e-mail if you have any information.

Hank74

Hank74 · Post by **Hank74** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:59 pm

That sounds like a great idea, Schlepporello. That is if you have the room to put a stand in front of you. Do you only play a sitdown tuba or do you play a sousaphone?

For my TC last week, I was in a crowded situation with about 250 other players and not too much room to put a stand if I wanted to. Besides, the sousas are supposed to stand on these risers that are used for the chorus. I tried bringing in a stand for my first TC while playing sousa and it turned out nearly being a disaster trying to keep it stable.

Hank74

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:05 pm

Be sure to carry your original green book in your notebook, though. The TubaChristmas folks are adamant about "no photocopies", but I think they'd be okay with it as long as you can show that you bought the book, and your photocopies are only for convenience.
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Joe Baker, who almost sprung for the big-print version this year....

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:29 pm

Yep. Read this for more info:
http://tubachristmas.com/

Some of the carols were arranged by Alec Wilder, the rest by Norlan Bewley.
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Joe Baker, who thinks the arrangements could be better....

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:35 pm

Joe Baker wrote:Joe Baker, who thinks the arrangements could be better....

Uh-huh. The arrangements are little too hip for the room, in my opinion. They are trickier than they are difficult, which is a bad combination for people sight-reading in a setting where hearing themselves is most unlikely.

I've played Christmas music arranged for four-part tuba choir that was more simply arranged with more straightforward parts. It was just as much fun to play, and less frustrating for the young kids. And it was a lot cheaper, with manuscript that was easier to read than the TC "engraving".

I do seem to recall that the TC book is available in full size--at least I recall seeing someone play out of a green-covered full-size version. If it is available, it would mean the enlarged photocopies might attract complaints.

Rick "who makes sure he doesn't lose the book" Denney

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:44 am

Rick Denney wrote: I do seem to recall that the TC book is available in full size--at least I recall seeing someone play out of a green-covered full-size version. If it is available, it would mean the enlarged photocopies might attract complaints.

Yes, there is an 8.5x11" version available; I have one. You can buy it via the TubaChristmas web site, and sometimes at TC registration. It's no better than a photocopier-enlarged small book, though. I wish they had better typesetting or engraving -- it's fuzzy.

I agree about the arrangements. They would sound better with simpler, more open harmonies. Low brass instruments are not the best for modern closer harmonies. Ah well, "Jingle Bells" is always a crowd-pleaser.

At the Boston TC, we had over 110 tubas and euphoniums playing carols the way they ought to be played!

Allen

Doug@GT · Post by **Doug@GT** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:27 am

Allen wrote: It's no better than a photocopier-enlarged small book, though. I wish they had better typesetting or engraving -- it's fuzzy.

I guess I just got lucky, then. I've got one of the large books and it's quite easy to read.

I agree about the arrangements, though--some of them I just don't "get," for example measure 9 of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear."

On the other hand, arrangements like "Go Tell it on the Mountain" are just neat.