acceptability of a helicon in "serious" music

[Chuck(G)]

Yeah, sure I would, Joe. But that's a HUGE "if". To almost any MD, bell up=good; bell any other way=bad.

[Art Hovey]

I use a helicon for jazz and for tubachristmas because I like to play standing up and I like to have a hand free to adjust knobs and pick my nose.
I use an upright tuba for "legit" stuff such as concert bands, symphony orchestras, brass quintets, etc. because they involve a lot of non-playing time. The horn gets heavy during tacet movments and long rests, and the upright is easier to put down on the floor and pick up again. A helicon can be cumbersome on a crowded stage.
Aside from those considerations, I think most people (even musicians) don't notice the difference.

[Tom Holtz]

I use my Eb helicon for jazz and oompah gigs. I took it out on an outdoor quintet gig a week ago, and between my fingers fighting the F tuba muscle memory, and the fairly serious pitch problems with five brass instruments in the freezing cold, it was not a rewarding experience. However, the sound blended just fine, and the ugly old horn got lots of attention on the street.

I used the helicon with the Marine Band about two years ago, while recording a CD of the music of Charles Ives. His piece "Jerusalem The Golden" is scored for a six-piece brass band and a full concert band together. The fine print at the bottom of the tuba part stated that a helicon was preferred, but if none were available, use an Eb tuba. My helicon and three Eb alto horns... what an experience in uncertain intonation. Well, I guess that was the intended effect, it's Ives.

If the horn gets the gig done, use it. If you've got a choice of horns, choose the best horn for the gig.

[KarlMarx]

Go for it José!

As long as you can enter your lifebuoy, then it is a proof, that your work-out programme is effective.

And please don't forget to relay my liking of the work of the photographer: you look just so much better on slightly blurred photos!

Carolus Marxius Nottookindius

[windshieldbug]

The REAL quesion is:

Is it the best sounding horn you have? If so, why not? If not, why?

[Carroll]

What? Just play what sounds BEST with no social or political commentary? What are you some kind of heretic?

Thanks for saying it.

[Charlie Goodman]

I'd say this is a bit of a loaded question, from how you were talking about the thing when you finished it. I think, too, that because you did so nice of a job finishing the horn, that people may give you a break about the fact that it wraps around you due to the fact that it's satin silver with gold. If it looks expensive enough, they might assume it's a good horn.

[bigboom]

I was going to say no but after looking at the beast you are talking about I think I will change my mind. That is a sweet looking horn. To me it looks like a concert tuba just twisted in a different fashion. I personally would want to use it just for the glare from the conductor.

Ben

[KarlMarx]

any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

You better keep that Wenger chair. And please don't forget to use it!

It's a menace to schlepp along with any circular bassophone, but that's what kids are for.

Carolus Marximus Dompteurius

[scottw]

I use a helicon for jazz and for tubachristmas because I like to play standing up and I like to have a hand free to adjust knobs and pick my nose.
I use an upright tuba for "legit" stuff such as concert bands, symphony orchestras, brass quintets, etc. because they involve a lot of non-playing time. The horn gets heavy during tacet movments and long rests, and the upright is easier to put down on the floor and pick up again. A helicon can be cumbersome on a crowded stage.
Aside from those considerations, I think most people (even musicians) don't notice the difference.

Those are the two points that convinced me to vote "never". Holding the weight of a sousaphone/helicon is something I'd rather never do again, plus putting such a beast down on a crowded stage would be a nightmare.From a personal standpoint, I'm adamantly against it, but musically, if it is a great player like Bloke says, I'd have done it in a minute 30 years ago!

[Hank74]

I voted for yes, I would want to use the helicon. As one who regularly plays the sousaphone, trying out the helicon would be rather easy. The only thing is the bell being pointed in a different way. It's something I would want to try this out down the road. Just like sousaphones, helicons need to be more accepted by everyone in the music world.

Hank74

[ThomasDodd]

any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

All right, I was there, and even blew a note or two on the thing*
Sounded wonderfull. I'll not comment on the rest of the concert, but the tuba sounded great. Getting the mute in was a smooth trick too. (Why did you have it on the chzair for the first half?)

On complaint, you should have stood up. Get a stool like the basses use. The helicon looked funny with you sitting down:)

* I also played the F (really cool slide trigger) and the little Eb helicon. I never knew just how weird other pitches would be. Every thing squaked.When Joe played them though, they sang.

Thanks for the hospitality. Love the house. Never change the floors.

[Rick Denney]

any casualties?...my _)@^\%-&($# left shoulder

Which is exactly why I wouldn't consider it. My shoulder is still sore from playing sousaphone in high school, and that was 30 years ago.

Rick "who uses a stand for upright tubas, too" Denney

[Dylan King]

I'd show up with a garden hose if it made the best sound in my inventory.

[KarlMarx]

"To what does your 'Signature' comment refer anyway?"

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