thisnameistaken Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) Since I started busking with double bass I've had a real urge to buy a sousaphone, which was tempered a bit when I found out how expensive they are and tempered a bit more when I found out how bizarre three-valve brass instruments are to play, and a bit further when I thought about how little time I'd have to practise and how much more my neighbours would hate me, but I still want one. :/ So do any of you play it? Or any other unusual bass instruments? Edited November 2, 2011 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I don't play it but we have a sousaphone player in our band I can put you in touch with if you wanted to pursue this? He plays for my lot, Rattlin Bone, plus the Top Bananas, the UK's only stilts-wearing brass band (true) Here he is in 70s disco garb [attachment=92441:disco1med.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 It's a hard instrument to play well and takes a lot of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Yeah I can imagine it's hard work and difficult to find times and places to practise and find a gig and so on, but I think they sound great I'd love to get one and find a dixie band to parp along with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 you'll get plenty of work (trad!!!!??) if you acquire one but I've never been drawn. although i used to play trombone i doubt whether i've still got the lungs for one. a bass (not bari) sax, now there's a class instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) Yeah, i'm know 2 great players, Both fully classically trained & the amount of practice they still do is incredible considering they've both been playing 12+ years. Edited November 3, 2011 by JakeBrownBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Similar to Bassace, use to play trombone also tuba, so I’m ok with valves. With this in mind I volunteered to play a tuba part in our Swing Band last year at our annual concert. The band arranged the loan of a tuba from a local Brass band, and despite having 5 - 6 weeks to practice my Lip was only just up to the task. I should note I had not played trombone for ten years either but the larger mouthpiece was a killer. I have the same desire to acquire a sousaphone, I did play one in a bass quartet as a teenager, but this last experience has showed me the dedication required to get up to a reasonable standard, but then you need to maintain that level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Yeah that's just it I can't imagine where I'd find time to practise. I've been a half-arsed trombonist for years for the same reason so practically it probably wouldn't work for me, but still... Is it wrong to GAS for a sousaphone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goblin Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MypmT0kwBR0 yes it's just a much fun to play on bass too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Played Tuba in the school brass band for around two years, first on the smaller Eb, graduating to a larger Bb. The valve fingerings are the same as the trumpet for a given note i.e. all open = C, first two = A etc. It does take a little practice to develop the respiratory capacity to keep a Tuba going over a decent playing time. I still credit my good lung capacity to playing the Tuba for a good while in my earlier years. The Euphonium is a more versatile instrument. Although it doesn't go as low on the register, it's a bit more flexible in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Played Bb Bass (Tuba) for approx 25 years cant imagine sousaphone being that far removed You will need a good set of lungs and lots of practice, get a shallow cup mouthpeice to start with (the plastic Kelly ones are good). Best bit of advice if you have never played brass before is get lessons or start with the absolute basics like "tune a day" books. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Played Tuba for a few years. "It's like diging holes." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I played Eb Tuba for several years but don't own my own tuba. If you're serious about low brass go and have a chat with your local brass band. They are usually short of bass players and will be delighted to see you - most will have training bands and will provide you with an instrument and tuition. In my experience it's very very hard to get anything approaching a musical noise out of a sousaphone. Horrible things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 A friend of mine plays a bass ocarina. That's a pretty unusual bass instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1320311922' post='1425044'] In my experience it's very very hard to get anything approaching a musical noise out of a sousaphone. Horrible things. [/quote] I think they sound fantastic I honestly do. Obviously when played by someone who isn't as crap as I am. I think if I ever do master the sousaphone the next logical step would be to buy and install a pipe organ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Is this a common theme - bass players who are ex-trombonists? <Puts hand up too> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I love Sousaphoneses. Here's the closest I'll ever get to playing one.. impersonating one on a Precision: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6cfwI7dVnI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6cfwI7dVnI[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisba Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 don't forget you'll probably have to transpose everything. Most brass instruments are Bb or Eb. I don't know about Sousaphones though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I've seen sousaphones in Eb and Bb and they probably also exist in C. Personally I think a tuba sounds better, whatever you're trying to do. Some gratuitous Tuba virtuosity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHMyrhilkdo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y75ryZC8LB0 [url="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/11/03/crosby-g"] [/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I played tuba in a Boys Brigade band from 11 to 19 - mostly Bb, although I'd occasionally be asked to take out a double Bb - amazing how a complete lungfull of air would disappear into that one, and it was almost as large as I was. I'm grateful for the musical start playing brass gave me, but it wasn't an inspiring instrument to play most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1320331917' post='1425426']Some gratuitous Tuba virtuosity: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHMyrhilkdo[/media][/quote] Bloody hell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timo Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) I play sousaphone when I'm out busking with Blackbeard's Tea Party. I used to play trombone (still do a bit) and always thought sousaphones looked fun then I was talking to someone about buying one at a festival when I was absolutely hammered. Got home to find a letter from uni saying I had a small bursary that turned out to be for about the same value as a sousaphone, took it as a sign and bought one, memorised a valve chart and hit the streets My playing style is definitely more about jumping around while making obnoxious amounts of noise to make money in the street rather than nailing the right note every time though. No one can ignore it, particularly when I'm wearing a gorilla costume. Edited November 3, 2011 by timo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 [quote name='timo' timestamp='1320361428' post='1426017'] ... bought one, memorised a valve chart and hit the streets ... No one can ignore it, particularly when I'm wearing a gorilla costume. [/quote] You're my hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timo Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 That looks like All Saints church in York, I'm surprised I haven't seen you before I live not far from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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