Re: beginning player


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Lew on April 12, 2003 at 16:34:41:

In Reply to: beginning player posted by Bill Johnson on April 12, 2003 at 14:12:47:

1. No, sousaphones are not always in BBb. They have been made in BBb, Eb, and less commonly CC and F. Many of the old ones you may find are in Eb, because Eb sousaphones are rarely used in schools any more, so they have been surplussed. If the open harmonics are Bb, F, Bb, D, F, it's in Bb, if they are Eb, Bb, Eb, G, Bb, it's in Eb. The other way to tell would be to measure the total length of the open bugle, but I can never remember the total length of a BBb vs. Eb. The main body tubing of an Eb sousaphone also often has one complete loop and then one partial loop, vs. a BBb which would have two complete loops, plus the valve tubing is longer on a BBb.

2. If you start the scale on a Bb on an Eb sousaphone and use BBb fingerings it will be wrong. That could be what is happening. Individual valve slides do need adjustment to play properly in tune, but that would not cause the extent of the problems you describe.

3. There has been much discussion about this and whether the terminology is accurate or not. It has just become common practice, don't worry about why.

4. That depends. If you are used to playing with a very tight embouchure you could have trouble relaxing enough to play the low notes. It should come with practice.

In addition there could be problems with the horn that make it difficult to play, such as leaky valves, leaky joints, or misalignment of the valves, to name just a few. You should find an instrument repair person to look it over and tell you what, if anything, needs to be done to it if you really want to play.

Good Luck


Follow Ups: