"the GANTRY!"

[arpthark]

Taken from the Fall 1978 T.U.B.A. journal:



"The instrument floats like a spacecraft!"

I stumbled across this during an afternoon spent browsing the T.U.B.A. / ITEA journal archives at my university fine arts library.

Have any of you guys experienced one of these contraptions first hand? What's the story behind these? I don't see how it would be practical at all, nor do I really see what problems it would solve. In fact, it would probably create a lot more problems, such as having to deal with a rickety, dept. store clothes rack-sized device around and supporting the weight of your $XX,XXX horn.

Although I have to admit, it's not quite as ridiculous as some other tuba inventions, like that foot-powered air pump that circulated air into your mouth via a tube. To play the extra long notes.

I apologize if I have offended any long-time Gibraltar Gantry® users.

[iiipopes]

I don't know if it was that exact model, but when my high school got all new King 4-valve tubas with upright detachable bells in the late '70's, the director got something like stands so the players of lesser stature could still maneuver the tubas. A couple of players used them to good effect.

[jamsav]

I am working on a similar devise that will actually suspend the player . While percussionists hold the tuba erect, the tubist , suspended by cabling , like a stage scenery flap, can be manuevered into position by stage crew personnel . Flown into proper playing position like Mary Martin ..." I'm flying !!!!! "

[jamsav]

I am working on a similar devise that will actually suspend the player . While percussionists hold the tuba erect, the tubist , suspended by cabling , like a stage scenery flap, can be manuevered into position by stage crew personnel . Flown into proper playing position like Mary Martin ..." I'm flying !!!!! "

scrap that idea, one of the regular contributors to this forum suggested it would be easier, and more practical to simply hang the tubas from above...raising and lowering them as deemed necessary....

[Ben]

I would suggest you look up Sumner Erickson (formerly Pittsburg symphony) as he used a similar device to perform while standing.

[arpthark]

Interesting. I hadn't really considered the school market. When I first started tuba at age 11 or 12, I was given a giant (to me) Yamaha YBB-201 to play on. I managed by stacking textbooks and sitting catty-corner on a chair. If the kids weren't prone to destroy/abuse these devices, I can see how they (or similar set-ups) would find some use in school bands.

I have noticed at some schools that they have special chairs for tubists that have a built in stand that sits a couple inches under the seat of the chair for players of a smaller stature.

Ben - I will look more into Sumner Erickson. Have you seen him perform with it? I can see where it would definitely be good for eliminating strain while playing, since you don't have to support the weight of the horn.

[Ben]

I attended a master class when Mr Erickson was being considered for teaching at Oberlin. I very much liked him as an instructor and in some ways wish I had more time to study with him. I liked his unconventionality. He brought the apparatus, but I think it was a more developed system as I remember him spinning his horn at some point. I am sure he'd be happy to talk about it. FYI I always feel I have better air support and control when I am standing.

[eupher61]

To second Ben, my memory of Sumner's rig was much more like a conventional tuba holder, set to the height that he could stand to play. It certainly wasn't off the rack, so to speak, but it was more like a tuba tamerish thing, not some multidimensional liftjack system. The Gantry didn't sell much, I remember hearing from some Bruno guys. It was a good idea that was FAR overengineered, too big, and too clumsy.