I never got to march a Sousa until I transferred into Purdue as a junior after not marching at all for two years. I had a 70s/80s vintage King horn that didn't weigh much, but on game days I got the section leader's "practice" horn which was an old BIG (possibly a King Giant...I am going to take measurements this fall at alumni band) 4-valver....that thing weighed a ton! Since I never got used to it on game days....my left arm/shoulder literally felt like it was going to fall off after each game that year. ....but you eventually get used to it. I can still pick that horn up 16 years later and it fits like a glove! ....you just have to tough it out and be glad you don't play bass drum!
Also, I always hold my mouthpiece/neck with my left hand now. it's become a habit. The old Kings were so abused that you couldn't get the neck to tighten at all....usually the bits were stuck together but wouldn't stay too snuggly in the neck as well. (tuba repair guys stop reading now)...we would use a combination of paper and black shoe-strings tied to the main loop and such to keep our mouthpiece as close to the appropriate position as possible. Hey we're enginerds at Purdue...not musicians!
The horns looked a little goofy up close, but it was always interesting to see how people would set the mouthpieces up like that. Some people never could get it right and played in a very uncomfortable position...I liked my mouthpiece to be nice and solid....and I devised a way to tuck my flip-folder (yeah we carried music..,) up against the neck so I could hold onto the mouthpiece and the flip folder at the same time. Holding the mouthpiece area while keeping your left arm tightly around the horn also gave you good leverage to take out anyone who tried to cross through the parade block....
....or do horn moves...whichever was more appropriate at the time.
Now, when I march with a sousaphone I still hold onto the mouthpiece... because I'd rather not see my $160 investment go launching off my horn and hitting pavement should I decide to do a horn move. .....but like I said...minimal shoulder pain!
jc
goodgigs wrote:BRSousa wrote:Not ever holding the mouthpiece...does this include neck and bits? Why?
Well most people don't work at a major mid western band instrument repair shop and can't easily fix the
damage they might do to the lead pipe and braces if they hold their mouthpieces, bitts, or goosenecks.
Also to hold the mouthpiece, you give up your left hand position on the body where you'll have better leverage
if you get caught in the wind or have to turn while playing.
I wasn't going to say it, but OK, I think it looks stupid.........(I know look who's talking).........
