Who has marched Contra?

[TubaKid30]

Is it difficult to hold
Does it need about the same air support as a Sousaphone
Does a mouthpiece cover the entire lips or partially

[tubajoe]

Is it difficult to hold? Well, at first, yes. But, in a competitive junior corps you hold the thing up for 12+ hours a day 7 days a week, so you acclimate fast. Your first month is tough, but that's part of the experience. Pushups and swimming and a bit of weight lifting too can help prepare you on the off season, if you are old enough for that type of exercise.

Modern corps marching tubas in BBb (it's fine to still call them Contras) are now about the same size as their predecessors in GG. They are more or less a 5/4 sized tuba with the valves and leadpipe reset so you can hold it up on your left shoulder. They weigh less than a sousaphone but take considerably more body strength to manipulate as they are held up and primarily maneuvered by your arms, compared to a sousa which just sort of hangs on you. Physicality is a big issue in drum corps as the marching demands *while playing* can get pretty extreme. It can be difficult for someone under 16 or 17 years old to play the contra. The physical demands of corps vary greatly, the more competitive a group, the more physicality will be required.

Yep, it takes similar technique as a sousaphone, but honestly it's a bit easier to play -- as it's closer to a concert-style tuba.

Mouthpieces are a normal tuba mouthpiece, most corps will have you playing on a standard med-large mouthpiece.

Drum corps is great, many pro tuba players and music teachers these days have drum corps experience as part of their upbringing, but it's not just for those who are planning going into music. The experience as a whole teaches a lot of discipline, poise, determination and character.
Plus, the experience can really toughen you up!

And don't forget to wear sunscreen.

[VinnyFromBrooklyn]

As tuba player for my high school marching band i played contra all of last year and this year we just got new sousaphones i will tell you i played a really small poopy Jupiter convertible and it was light only about 12-13 pounds but for a guy that stood about 5'1 with no upper body strength in the beginning of the season it was very difficult for me to play it but after a year of play it i became a lot stronger player (it was my first time playing tuba) compared to sousaphone from my experience it took a lot less air (but that can very from model) about holding it at first it was difficult but after words u get used to it and i used a American shank 24 aw Bach just like any "normal" lead pipe good luck you will enjoy it

[TubaKid30]

As tuba player for my high school marching band i played contra all of last year and this year we just got new sousaphones i will tell you i played a really small poopy Jupiter convertible and it was light only about 12-13 pounds but for a guy that stood about 5'1 with no upper body strength in the beginning of the season it was very difficult for me to play it but after a year of play it i became a lot stronger player (it was my first time playing tuba) compared to sousaphone from my experience it took a lot less air (but that can very from model) about holding it at first it was difficult but after words u get used to it and i used a American shank 24 aw Bach just like any "normal" lead pipe good luck you will enjoy it

Thanks bro. I'm probably will be marching it. It's my first year on the Tuba and I needed the advice. I thank you greatly. Meanwhile on the other thread I had people disrespect me and etc. Appreciate you responded to this

[tofu]

Is it difficult to hold? Well, at first, yes. But, in a competitive junior corps you hold the thing up for 12+ hours a day 7 days a week, so you acclimate fast. Your first month is tough, but that's part of the experience. Pushups and swimming and a bit of weight lifting too can help prepare you on the off season, if you are old enough for that type of exercise.

Modern corps marching tubas in BBb (it's fine to still call them Contras) are now about the same size as their predecessors in GG. They are more or less a 5/4 sized tuba with the valves and leadpipe reset so you can hold it up on your left shoulder. They weigh less than a sousaphone but take considerably more body strength to manipulate as they are held up and primarily maneuvered by your arms, compared to a sousa which just sort of hangs on you. Physicality is a big issue in drum corps as the marching demands *while playing* can get pretty extreme. It can be difficult for someone under 16 or 17 years old to play the contra. The physical demands of corps vary greatly, the more competitive a group, the more physicality will be required.

Yep, it takes similar technique as a sousaphone, but honestly it's a bit easier to play -- as it's closer to a concert-style tuba.

Mouthpieces are a normal tuba mouthpiece, most corps will have you playing on a standard med-large mouthpiece.

Drum corps is great, many pro tuba players and music teachers these days have drum corps experience as part of their upbringing, but it's not just for those who are planning going into music. The experience as a whole teaches a lot of discipline, poise, determination and character.
Plus, the experience can really toughen you up!

And don't forget to wear sunscreen.

Somewhat OT - Tubajoe what strap are you using on your 186 when you stand and play? Also, I notice when you stand and play you have your left hand flat on the bell - is that to dampen the bell or for balance?

[VinnyFromBrooklyn]

As tuba player for my high school marching band i played contra all of last year and this year we just got new sousaphones i will tell you i played a really small poopy Jupiter convertible and it was light only about 12-13 pounds but for a guy that stood about 5'1 with no upper body strength in the beginning of the season it was very difficult for me to play it but after a year of play it i became a lot stronger player (it was my first time playing tuba) compared to sousaphone from my experience it took a lot less air (but that can very from model) about holding it at first it was difficult but after words u get used to it and i used a American shank 24 aw Bach just like any "normal" lead pipe good luck you will enjoy it

Thanks bro. I'm probably will be marching it. It's my first year on the Tuba and I needed the advice. I thank you greatly. Meanwhile on the other thread I had people disrespect me and etc. Appreciate you responded to this

No problem at all :
Just dont forget to have fun!

[VinnyFromBrooklyn]

As tuba player for my high school marching band i played contra all of last year and this year we just got new sousaphones i will tell you i played a really small poopy Jupiter convertible and it was light only about 12-13 pounds but for a guy that stood about 5'1 with no upper body strength in the beginning of the season it was very difficult for me to play it but after a year of play it i became a lot stronger player (it was my first time playing tuba) compared to sousaphone from my experience it took a lot less air (but that can very from model) about holding it at first it was difficult but after words u get used to it and i used a American shank 24 aw Bach just like any "normal" lead pipe good luck you will enjoy it

Thanks bro. I'm probably will be marching it. It's my first year on the Tuba and I needed the advice. I thank you greatly. Meanwhile on the other thread I had people disrespect me and etc. Appreciate you responded to this

It would help, as you are a new member, to include background info,(and, I don't know maybe proper punctuation/grammar?), or perform a SEARCH using the Advanced Search link in the upper right. Most, if not all, forums have this function so that threads don't need to be repeated. In most cases, the answer you're looking for has probably been answered in a thread three years old or spread out over a couple of threads. If it truly is new, then, by all means start a new thread. Besides, for all we know you're another board member trolling - I could be trolling myself just to point out the SEARCH FUNCTION

Where you speaking to me or him?