Yo-Yo Ma Knows Why We Play tuba

[Steve Marcus]

We are asked so often, "Why do you play tuba?" or "Don't you wish you played the piccolo?" or some variation thereof.

From an article in this week's Parade Magazine, Yo-Yo Ma speaks of "the secret of his own inner peace:"

If you love some instrument, if you like the sound of it, it's like no other sound. It's really yours. It comes from deep within, and it's something you can always connect with inside. How good can that be? Your music, your sound--it's your friend for life. You can express how you feel, send your self into the larger world. You will always have that voice. That's a pretty powerful thing.

[TonyZ]

Thanks, Steve!

It's unfortunate the we sometimes forget why we REALLY do it.

[jaredsan]

Don't you love the feeling playing with a group of tubas in a huge group, and right when you hit that "FFF" moment, you feel like pissing your pants!? Amazing.

Also, On the tuba you can blow you heart out (without splitting or anything) since you're at the bottom of the pyramid. Imagine how much it would suck on the "FFF" super sonic chord, you have to sit and play "mp" becuase you're the piccolo.

Plus, Tuba high register sound better than the high notes of any other instrument (except euphonium?)

<3

[oldbandnerd]

I have tried tried to explain to my wife why after 22 years of not playing anything at all I started up again. I never forgot the feeling of playing in band. I wanted to go to college and major in music but it just never happened. I went straight in to the working world right out of high school ,no college what so ever.
Being able to perform and participate with a group ,no matter what the size is the best feeling in the world !!!
As for being a euphoium player, I really could not imagine playing another instrument. I started off playing the trumpet. I was using a borrowed horn. When the owner wanted it back for his own child I got switched to baritone because the school had some and the band director had no bartione players . Hows that for fate ? I have been in love with low brass and the euphonium ever since.
Besides ,everyone knows we get the best parts to play .

[Allen]

...I'd hate to have to play piccolo, oboe, or something worse. ...

Doc

What's worse?

Sorry; I couldn't resist!

Allen

[MaryAnn]

You can say what you want about the tuba, but it's all about the sound.

Funny, first time I experienced this visceral response to the sound was when I played that Besson CC in January....my tubas are small and I like them but they tend towards the euph end of the spectrum. That full size CC was a wake-up call for me in terms of sound!!

MA, who still wants one but can't justify the expense based on lack of playing opportunities.

[MaryAnn]

You can say what you want about the tuba, but it's all about the sound.

Funny, first time I experienced this visceral response to the sound was when I played that Besson CC in January....my tubas are small and I like them but they tend towards the euph end of the spectrum. That full size CC was a wake-up call for me in terms of sound!!

MA, who still wants one but can't justify the expense based on lack of playing opportunities.

[Arkietuba]

Yeah, Yo-Yo Ma couldn't be more correct. I often face fellow college students asking me why I play the tuba (especially in marching band). I just love the sound and the power of the tuba. When I fill up the recital hall with a huge, dark, sonorous sound I'm just in euphoria. I know you guys will disown me, but I also play the trombone (jazz trombone that is). I started out on the trombone and I all ways loved. The only thing that I don't like about the tuba is that we all ways get bad parts (at least in high school). Now, in college, we get some sweet parts (Hammersmith by Holst, Symphony in B-flat by Hindemith).