Marching Opinions?

[DevilDog-2013]

Hello TubeNet!!!! I hope all is well!

So preseason just ended for marching band. Our field show is epic
We are playing a video game theme with "Halo", "Bounty Hunter", and "Kingdom Hearts".
"Bounty Hunter" is the best! We have a really simple part. But it sounds amazing! And the way we play it it's totally beastly

So us tubas (section of 4: 2 sousas, 2 convertibles), memorized it within a few days and just started dancing to it and marching around the band room while everyone else was sitting down playing
And now we have a set "bounce" to it. But the tubas are the only ones who do it. So what's your opinion on bouncing? Do you think only tubas should do it, or get the whole band into it? If we can figure this out and clear it with the director, we will be doing this for our field show competition.

Also what is your opinion on the Flip for Life (flipping the convertible tuba onto your shoulder from parade rest)? My friend and I almost have it mastered with minimal casualties .We are also planning on doing this for our field show because it looks totally BA

Thanks

[Dan Schultz]

Cool. Music that no one over the age of 20 will know and more smashed up tubas. Who could want anything more?

[Michael Bush]

I think those bouncy-dancy things can add a little fun something to the show as long as they go on for about ten seconds at a place that makes sense in the music. Beyond that, I begin to suspect it's covering up flaws in marching execution.

[David Richoux]

The California Repercussions almost always do sectional moves when we are playing - not as much when we march and play, but when we are in concert formation (arc) the visual attraction and variation works for us.

You can see a few clips of us here.

Since the tuba section is all Sousaphone we don't have the question of convertible flipping to deal with.

[DevilDog-2013]

Thanks for the replies

Hmmm...

Just to clarify:

The dancing was just for fun during rehearsal. The bouncing looks cool. And we don't do it for the entire piece. It's probably only for half the piece if that. And it's not constant. There's some parts where we decided not to do it. But the drum majors love it

As for the music. I don't know why the drum majors chose it. They knew almost no one would recognize it. But it sounds amazing either way.

And lastly, we the Flip for Life is totally safe... for the tubas . It hurts us more than it will ever hurt them.

Thanks for the replies

[Michael Bush]

The drum majors chose the music? That's different.

[iiipopes]

Having marched with a souzy in high school and in grad school (my undergrad didn't have a football team or do street parade marching), I think it's great. But...I have to ask this question: and your director's input is....?

[SousaSaver]

Don't ask about marching on this board, you probably wont' find many fans here, but you will find (in my opinion) lots of stuck up people who poo-poo on marching.

Whatever...

Point being, just have fun and enjoy playing Tuba. Ignore what haters may have to say and just HAVE FUN.

BTW, a Sousaphone won't kill ya...

[David Richoux]

Don't ask about marching on this board, you probably wont' find many fans here, but you will find (in my opinion) lots of stuck up people who poo-poo on marching.

Nothing wrong with marching - I have been doing that for fun and occasional profit for over 45 years! I agree, the main thing is to have fun with it - if the personality of the tuba/Sousaphone section stands out in a band and the Powers That Be don't like it, well... there are options to choose.
I am not so sure I like the super-perfectionists that tend towards D&B and such, but it is fun to watch them do it, sometimes.

[Leto Cruise]

I find it appropriate to quote Brian Kane, "goodgigs" in his knowledge of transcendentalism:

"Ah, it is a Spring Season! A time for renewal, a time for shearing! Brian Kane, when thou doth take the ball on the holy mound, I cannot help but think the time for sheering and meatballs have arrived. Me thinks that when thee and Xavier has leaped from the tunnel with praise and glory, I have to Salute thee! Thou doest come by all thy skinning and defamation naturally! Thou hast risen above all unicorns and golen lambs! What else can thou do O Brian Kane? O take thy beating from Reevas!"