Back Pain and the Sousaphone.

[imperialbari]

The compromise:

Is that one of those Indian/Chinese "Fanfare Horns" that are flooding the eBay? Any that are better than others? (I was thinking of getting one to make into a Bb helicon... couldn't be any worse than some of my antique horns in the long run!)[/quote]

The Indians already make the Bb helicon:

[David Richoux]

The compromise:

Is that one of those Indian/Chinese "Fanfare Horns" that are flooding the eBay? Any that are better than others? (I was thinking of getting one to make into a Bb helicon... couldn't be any worse than some of my antique horns in the long run!)

The Indians already make the Bb helicon:

well, that valve cluster looks like about the same quality as my ~120 year old French EEb helicon (and about as many sharp turns in the piping!) - but it looks like the "Gooseneck" is actually fixed in position, and kind of in an awkward spot! Extra crunchy back and neck pain!

[tofu]

--

[Roger Lewis]

It all comes down to one thing - Screw your band director - he's not the one who is going to have to live with the discomfort for the rest of his life. Just because he is stupid doesn't mean that you need to be. Never try to match wits with someone who is only half equiped - you can only lose.

A great band director with an incredible marching program at a major university once said to me:

"Yeh, they look great, but I feel so bad for them. By the time I get done with them their knees and backs are SHOT."

The director has a job to do. You don't need to be the "canon fodder" for his teaching evaluation. Get out while you can. AND GO SEE THE DAMN DOCTOR!

Roger

[imperialbari]

Somebody maybe should send links for this thread to some BD’s.

[Funcoot]

Yeah. I'm feeling good this morning, and I plan to keep it that way.

I'm not going to be running with my sousaphone again. If it costs my section another lap, so be it. They can take of their sousaphones too. That's kind of why we brought a blanket to lay them down on in the first place.

We only have 2 more songs to go through, one being pretty short and what will probably be pretty easy.

If I have to for sectionals, I'll take a minute to get the sousaphone off my shoulders. I have a feeling today will go better.

[TMurphy]

You're in a marching band, not a running band. There is nothing to be gained but unnecessary wear on the body by running with a sousaphone. Period. Running alone is very high impact and can take a toll on your knees and ankles. Add the weight of a sousaphone bouncing around in top of you, and it's no wonder your back hurts.

[Wyvern]

In my experience, if I sousaphone or helicon is carried properly, the muscles on the top of the left shoulder first become sore, then strong, and nothing else is affected.

That is very interesting from my recent experience playing Conn Jumbo. My shoulder was sore afterwards no doubt because I am unused to playing sousaphone

PS Even with that weight of the heaviest sousaphone I still suffered no back pain.

[viningda]

I am not a tuba player but sometimes a different perspective can be helpful so here 'goes...

When you stand, consider allowing your weight to be delivered down to the ground in cooperation with gravity.

This is different (and perhaps even opposite) of what many music teachers teach. We often hear the tried and true "stand up straight", but what does this mean? It means different things to different people. To some people this means try to make your spine straight and this can cause pain because your spine is not intended to be straight.

The other postural edict which is often issued is ye old "act like a string is pulling you up from your noggin". When I stand like this my entire body is full of tension. If you are subscribing to this, it may be part of your problem.

Your bony structure, including your spine, is designed to hold your body up and to counteract the natural effect of gravity. When you allow this to happen, you need minimal musculature to remain upright. I like to think of this as good balance - when you are balanced around your core, you are not using an inordinate amount of effort just to stand, let alone march with a sousaphone!

When you are balanced, the weight of your torso, arms and head (which can weight the same as a bowling ball!) are delivered right through your massive lumbar core. The five vertebrae which comprise the lumbar portion of your spine are, in fact, massive and will also help you hold up your sousaphone - if you are balanced.

If, on the other hand, you are tucking your butt in an attempt to "stand up straight" the entire idea of balance breaks down and the weight of your torso, arms, head and sousaphone is displaced forward or behind your lumbar core. When this happens, the delicate muscles of your lower back are engaged unnaturally. These muscles were never intended to hold up that much weight - that's what your lumbar core is for.

This entire discussion assumes you have no chronic medical condition. I would not assume this - get things checked out by a doctor and revisit your understanding of posture vs balance...

For more detail, check out my Breathing Book for Tuba

Dave Vining
http://www.mountainpeakmusic.com" target="_blank" target="_blank