Pep Band, Suggestions?

[thezman]

Hey guys,

So, I'm going of to College in the fall and I have been looking forward to playing in a Collegiate Marching/Pep Band for a very long time. I, however, have a torn ligament in my shoulder from wrestling, making it very painful to carry non-fiberglass sousaphones (The School just purchased several brass ones). I was just wondering if any of you guys out there in Tubenet-land had any suggestions, as to what, if any other instrument, I should play.

Thanks
Zach

[SousaSaver]

Euphonium/Baritone.

It's a good thing to learn how to double with and it's SUPER light compared to a Sousaphone.

[thezman]

Well, I was thinking bass trombone, until the other day I read some people discouraging the practice of doubling; is the baritone necessarily better?

[Biggs]

If it's pep band, electric bass.

[sloan]

If it's pep band, electric bass.

Cowbell.

[iiipopes]

A Winger chair for the souzy.

[Mike Finn]

A Winger chair for the souzy.

Seriously though, if you've got shoulder trouble, I should think it would be more comfortable to get a cushion and rest a sousa on your shoulder than to hold a trombone or euph out in front of you (in playing position) for any amount of time. The Wenger chair is a good suggestion for seated gigs, but it might be a bit awkward in the bleachers. Have you tried resting the horn on your right shoulder and angling the pipe and bits so you can play it that way?

[thezman]

Is that physically possible?

[Nick Pierce]

Well, I was thinking bass trombone, until the other day I read some people discouraging the practice of doubling; is the baritone necessarily better?

Is that how that thread ended? I say nonesense. Plenty of people double successfully, even professionaly, and a number of them are on this board, even. If you want to double, no reason you can't. Bass trombone is fine choice, if approached properly.

That being said, bass trombone in a pep band doesn't sound like a great idea to me. You'd be supporting the weight of the horn with your left arm, which is attached to the offending shoulder if I read correctly. With the weight of a bass trombone, add in how "athletic" your schools pep band in (how many songs do they actually stand still for vs. how many of them are they jumping, dancing, etc.), and I'm thinking your situation won't be much improved.

A light tenor trombone or a baritone would be just the thing, I'd think. Or if your school does electric bass in pep band, go that route, it's a hoot. (though a bass guitar would still rest on the offending shoulder.

Hope that helps.

Nick Pierce

[tclements]

Take a semester off and get yourself really healed up. Come back ready to go and blow that brass sousie!!

[thezman]

The only way to completely heal the shoulder is to have them cut it open and surgically repair it. That's not an option right now as I'll have to have the shoulder immobilized for a couple of months I can't stop playing right now as I'm going to be a music major.

[Ben]

Here is my uninvited, non-medically qualified opinion. Follow Tony's advice. There is never a convenient time for surgery. If you are going to be a music major, you will need to use your arm to conduct, hold instruments and who knows what else. Get it done now, you may not need to stop playing altogether (I could see a lap tuba & tuba rest aiding practice. Taking time off isn't the end of the world. In college you will have many course requirements to take in addition to your instrument.

Posted unproofed and on iPhone. Beware.

[bort]

Ditto, your shoulder won't heal itself, so get fixed up sooner than later.

Also, my opinion, electric bass in pep band is terrible. Doesn't blend at all and is really just plain weird. I've never liked pep bands with electric basses.

[PMeuph]

You could buy a Tuba Tamer or a similar stand and have it pimped out by adding wheels and an engine. That would surely be your best bet....

Honestly, in the long run, taking time off from Pep Band is probably the best thing if it helps your shoulder recover. In the meantime you can work on your tuba chops and all your other classes...

Also, have you looked into a stand to use with the tuba. It might help reduce chances of further injury....

[David Richoux]

Ditto, your shoulder won't heal itself, so get fixed up sooner than later.

Also, my opinion, electric bass in pep band is terrible. Doesn't blend at all and is really just plain weird. I've never liked pep bands with electric basses.

The only electrical thing we tried (in 1967) was a really basic portable organ - way before portable synthesizers were available to the general musician. We used it a few times and gave up on it.

The whole idea of a Pep Band should be mobile - not tied to the bleachers or stage, so a Sousaphone is good, separate snare and bass drum is good (no full kits) but we did it the hard way - two full sets of drums!

[tubaforce]

HI!
Rock tunes sound much better with Bass and Drum kit, IMHO! Especially for Basket Ball games! I always used a Tuba ('glass Sousaphone) for the Banner, marches and fight song! The Electric Bass was much better on The Horse, Smoke on the Water, Peter Gunn(ok, flip a coin) etc... And playing Electric Bass was seen as so much cooler than Tuba by the Girls !Never did care much for the marching Electric Bass with Amp dragger in tow... Now days there are wireless units capable of sending from all over a field, but you still have the hassle of battery operated amps and phasing issues...Yes, a Phil Jones amp could be worn backpack style, but would look funnier than the aforementioned amp dragger, and 100 watts does not = one Sousaphone at 100 yards!!!

Al