Helicon bell aimed at the trombonist's head.

[Walter Webb]

Yep, it points naturally to my left at about head level, right at his head. It is a 1942 King Eb 4v sousa with CC straight bell. If I remove one of the mpc bits I can shorten the inlet, rotate the body several inches and thus point the bell more skyward. Is there any reason not to go with one bit, and pull slides out to lower the pitch accordingly? Pictures indicate BBb helicons have longer necked bells that want to go upward more than the shorter Eb. What are you Helicon players doing to keep your bells out of people's faces?

Walter

[Brown Mule]

Try turning your chair a little to the right which will bring your bell more forward away from bones.

[iiipopes]

And why do you feel the need to change your orientation?

[Mark]

Who cares? It's just a trombone player.

Would you say that if you were sitting next to Charlie Vernon?

[JHardisk]

Who's head is the trombonist pointing at? It seems to me that it's simply come full circle with your helicon.

[Walter Webb]

Everybody's bell, stack, flue or tailpipe is aimed at someone else's head, if only metaphorically. Yep, and sitting to the right of a piccolo player will cause you brain damage. Does anybody have an opinion on whether it is OK to use a single mpc bit instead of two, if the sousa can be tuned with the gooseneck and a slide or two? Imma gonna be playing in a Concert Band this Feb, and I need my bell to point in a more hospitable angle, and still see the conductor.

[Art Hovey]

I use the helicon when there is enough room for me to stand up and move around. If I am locked into position on a crowded bandstand I use an upright tuba. Simple courtesy, but also avoids nasty collisions.