Can anyone here steer me in the right direction? I'm a bass player. Would really like to try sousaphone but I can't find a teacher or anyone in my area that can give me any guidance. I started playing trombone not to long ago and I am enjoying it quite a bit and feel like I'm making good progress but I joined a street band and the sound of the sousaphone is the best. I'm in Boston. Anyone out there know of a teacher in Massachusetts? Can I rent an instrument for a while? How much should expect to spend on an instrument? I've already reached out to two local bands and the guy who runs the band I play in with without any response. I'm feeling like I don't know the secret handshake. Can anyone help? Thanks.
It might be worth mentioning. I'm an adult, can pay for lessons, play bass for a living, teach and play guitar. If any of that matters.
Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
-
Joemac
- bugler
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:15 am
-
swillafew
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:20 pm
- Location: Aurora, IL
-
Joemac
- bugler
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:15 am
Re: Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
Potential gig threat. Didn't think of that. Thanks for the info. There's a conn on the board for sale in ma. Would that be appropriate? Not really looking to spend that much right off but I figured if ask.
-
Joemac
- bugler
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:15 am
Re: Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
Thanks for the pic and info. This is the one I was referring though.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=68986" target="_blank
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=68986" target="_blank
-
tubanonymous
- bugler
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:06 pm
- Location: NYC
Re: Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
As someone who's played both bass and tuba since elementary school, I will say, it's a great double 
The instruments really "fill each other out." Bass made me realize how to play "normal" bass lines on tuba, how to play off chord progressions with no music, and how to use my ears. Tuba showed me how to play legato on bass, and opened my mind to more theoretical musical concepts that could be applied in pop situations etc (turn II-I into II6-I for a resolution by tritone back to the tonic? Oh yessss....)
Sousaphones can be bought for a couple grand. In my opinion, a $3000 sousaphone will be a much better instrument than a $4000 tuba. And unless you are looking to play in orchestras, etc, a sousaphone will probably be the most convenient option for you. Renting a tuba is definitely an option, but most shops are going to want to rent them on a student basis. That is, they are mostly renting for semesters at a time at a flat rate for middle school and high school players. Typically, the rate is very affordable, especially compared to other instruments. This would probably be a great option for you to be totally honest. One off rentals for even cheaper are possible if you can sweet talk, and I've done this a couple times when I've flown for recording sessions.
The concepts of all brass instruments are similar, so just do the things you know you should do on trombone and apply it to tuba--lots of air, relaxed embouchure, and all that good stuff. Teachers are plentiful in most cities. A college student is probably the best for you in terms of what you are getting for your money.
The instruments really "fill each other out." Bass made me realize how to play "normal" bass lines on tuba, how to play off chord progressions with no music, and how to use my ears. Tuba showed me how to play legato on bass, and opened my mind to more theoretical musical concepts that could be applied in pop situations etc (turn II-I into II6-I for a resolution by tritone back to the tonic? Oh yessss....)Sousaphones can be bought for a couple grand. In my opinion, a $3000 sousaphone will be a much better instrument than a $4000 tuba. And unless you are looking to play in orchestras, etc, a sousaphone will probably be the most convenient option for you. Renting a tuba is definitely an option, but most shops are going to want to rent them on a student basis. That is, they are mostly renting for semesters at a time at a flat rate for middle school and high school players. Typically, the rate is very affordable, especially compared to other instruments. This would probably be a great option for you to be totally honest. One off rentals for even cheaper are possible if you can sweet talk, and I've done this a couple times when I've flown for recording sessions.
The concepts of all brass instruments are similar, so just do the things you know you should do on trombone and apply it to tuba--lots of air, relaxed embouchure, and all that good stuff. Teachers are plentiful in most cities. A college student is probably the best for you in terms of what you are getting for your money.
-
Joemac
- bugler
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:15 am
Re: Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
Thanks for the info. I would really like to rent for a month or so before I buy. I'd hate to spend $1000 to $2000 on an instrument and then find out shoulder problems will prevent me from practicing much... A forum member has offered his guidance in finding an instrument and lessons. Hope to speak to him soon. I also found a guy selling a few instruments. Need to find a rental if I can. If anyone has info on that I'd appreciate it. The music stores in the area don't list the sousaphone as an option for rental.... Oh and definitely not interested in playing in an orchestra. Street band, jazz. I play in a jazz trio that does old swing tunes. It would sound great in that. Not that there's anything wrong with an orchestra.
-
Donn
- 6 valves
- Posts: 5977
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Seattle, ☯
Re: Need help getting started on tuba/sousaphone
My sousaphone is a great instrument, and on the street it's the only way to go, but it isn't much fun to play sitting down.
I don't believe I've ever heard of any rental options, and it has come up - if your band flies to a remote location, you don't want to pack your sousaphone as checked baggage. If you can get a good deal on a sousaphone, I'd just go for it. Particularly with the fiberglass-or-whatever style, the risk of physical problems just isn't worth worrying about. The real risk is that in the end you won't really take to it and you'd rather just play bass, but that will take months to pan out and you don't want rental fees on your back during the process. Anyway, don't spend $3000 on the sousaphone, I'm saying, because if it catches on, you'll probably be getting a lap tuba too.
I don't believe I've ever heard of any rental options, and it has come up - if your band flies to a remote location, you don't want to pack your sousaphone as checked baggage. If you can get a good deal on a sousaphone, I'd just go for it. Particularly with the fiberglass-or-whatever style, the risk of physical problems just isn't worth worrying about. The real risk is that in the end you won't really take to it and you'd rather just play bass, but that will take months to pan out and you don't want rental fees on your back during the process. Anyway, don't spend $3000 on the sousaphone, I'm saying, because if it catches on, you'll probably be getting a lap tuba too.