Book- The Perfect Tuba

[Renodoc]

has anyone read this yet- I just ordered it from my local book store:

https://calirb.com/the-perfect-tuba-for ... -quinones/

[circusboy]

Sounds great. I read his LA Times pieces when they appeared. He's a good writer.

Added to my Amazon wish list.

Thanks!

[iiipopes]

I'm sure it is a good book. I hope it talks about how to assimilate a player's playing to a tuba, in addition go discussing best design and construction practices. I will not purchase the book, because of the title. There is no such thing as a perfect tuba. All tubas have their quirks. All tubas are subject to the player getting the best tone, response, articulation, and intonation out of any particular instrument. Now, if someone who purchases the book can tell me that this is actually the purpose of the book, how to assimilate a person's playing to the instrument to make the tuba sound the best it can, then I shall reconsider.

[circusboy]

I'm sure it is a good book. I hope it talks about how to assimilate a player's playing to a tuba, in addition go discussing best design and construction practices. I will not purchase the book, because of the title. There is no such thing as a perfect tuba. All tubas have their quirks. All tubas are subject to the player getting the best tone, response, articulation, and intonation out of any particular instrument. Now, if someone who purchases the book can tell me that this is actually the purpose of the book, how to assimilate a person's playing to the instrument to make the tuba sound the best it can, then I shall reconsider.

From the book's description:

"Technically speaking, there’s no such thing as a perfect tuba. But perfection isn’t the point of the story Sam Quinones tells so masterfully: purpose is the point. The Perfect Tuba is about what happens when we find something we can devote our creative energy to achieving. The tuba is a metaphor for the journey. Reward comes from striving toward a productive end, toward mastery and self-fulfillment through simple hard work and earnest effort. The lesson isn’t new, it’s just one we have been conditioned to forget."

I think it's shooting for a larger audience than tubists alone, so I doubt it will go into technical/pedagogical areas regarding assimilating a person to an instrument. To me, that's purely experiential and wouldn't make for good reading. My 2 cents.

[iiipopes]

I'm sure it is a good book. I hope it talks about how to assimilate a player's playing to a tuba, in addition go discussing best design and construction practices. I will not purchase the book, because of the title. There is no such thing as a perfect tuba. All tubas have their quirks. All tubas are subject to the player getting the best tone, response, articulation, and intonation out of any particular instrument. Now, if someone who purchases the book can tell me that this is actually the purpose of the book, how to assimilate a person's playing to the instrument to make the tuba sound the best it can, then I shall reconsider.

From the book's description:

"Technically speaking, there’s no such thing as a perfect tuba. But perfection isn’t the point of the story Sam Quinones tells so masterfully: purpose is the point. The Perfect Tuba is about what happens when we find something we can devote our creative energy to achieving. The tuba is a metaphor for the journey. Reward comes from striving toward a productive end, toward mastery and self-fulfillment through simple hard work and earnest effort. The lesson isn’t new, it’s just one we have been conditioned to forget."

I think it's shooting for a larger audience than tubists alone, so I doubt it will go into technical/pedagogical areas regarding assimilating a person to an instrument. To me, that's purely experiential and wouldn't make for good reading. My 2 cents.

Thank you for the quote. I shall reconsider.

[opus37]

I have read this book over the last few days. I enjoyed it. It’s about the perfect tuba, but about the quest to make, in some cases, and to become a better person. It’s about the history of the 1930’s York tuba and the players that have shaped our history. It’s about the lonely quest that tuba players have to strive for excellence and how band teachers have shaped the lives of band kids. I have a Kanstul tuba which is in many ways at the heart of the story so this book speaks to me more than it may to some. I think it is worth your time to read it.

[swillafew]

Excellent book. Intended audience is rather more broad than the title might lead you to believe.

[circusboy]

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it inspirational and motivational.

I know a fair amount of tuba history, but this book really connected the dots and filled in the gaps for me (primarily 20th C.). The sections about the bands in the Rio Grande Valley moved me.

[tclements]

Read it, cover to cover. Happy to chat about it. Call me.

[jonathanharker]

I thought it was good. I ended up citing it for the Wikipedia tuba article, specifically the thread about the Chicago Yorks and the story around Tom Treece and Bob Carpenter, two Florida players who end up getting Zig Kanstul to spin a new red brass bell for Carpenter's 30s Holton he bought from Arnold Jacobs.