> The cimbasso I built (after deciding that the really large bore Chinese ones are somewhat difficult to play) turned out stupid-good, in spite of the fact that I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Other than blowing it a bit differently than an F tuba, it's [1] only a 5-valve instrument, so a few different fingerings, [2] features a #2 slide trigger, for the same reason, and [3] the only intonation issue is 5th partial A and G-sharp, which should be played 1-2 and 2-3, on this instrument.
> I've already spoken (too often) about all the musical situations I've discovered, which have proven to be better-than-a-tuba.
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Previously, I had used the F cimbasso (twice - along with mutes that I fashioned for it) to play 4th trombone parts in big-band concerts.
LAST NIGHT, though, I played in a THIRD big-band concert and (as I was called as a replacement for an under-the-weather bass trombonist) I SIGHT-READ the concert...and (if OK to say so?) I did well.
I believe I stepped into ONE downbeat - whereby the engraver oddly put quarter rests up ABOVE
the staff. (I caught that quirk in subsequent similar measures, and that downbeat wasn't an "open" downbeat, so I didn't ruin "the music".) Concerning were the realities that I'm not totally "with" the 5-valves-and-#2-trigger system (as my owned-40-years F tuba is a 4+2 system instrument), that trombone parts are "harmony" parts (vs. typical tuba "bass" parts), and big band idiomatic rhythms (though I have no problem executing them) are WRITTEN-DOWN rhythms that I would PREFER (surely, most of you as well...??) to look at prior to sight-reading them in a (not background music, but) CONCERT performance.
This (successful execution of this gig) bolstered my confidence a bit, but I also am not fooling myself into viewing myself as some "reading hero" who could show up and "read" dots-on-a-page really challenging or avant garde big-band charts (without seeing/practicing them ahead of time).
THE NEW MOUTHPIECE I'VE DEVELOPED FOR CIMBASSO USE: (my prototype, as we're waiting on those which are pre-ordered)...
The encore was "In the Mood". The trombones are unison up to a (really) high A-flat (OK...the "Vaughan Williams" A-flat), in a figure which (I believe...??) begins in the fourth measure...The A-flat came out clear as a bell, and even though (as with the octave lower A-flat (as previously mentioned) I played it with valves 2 & 3 (rather than with only the 2nd valve).
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This band is a total volunteer group, and combines "ministry" with entertainment. Frankly, I didn't expect it to be as so-very-good as it is. Intonation, rhythmic execution, phrasing, solos, etc...GREAT. (This might ?? somewhat explain a sort-of "famine" situation, regarding local "community bands"...' nuff said.) I recall one trumpet section unison whereby there were three trumpets and two flugelhorns...The intonation and their phrasing matched precisely.
The second trombonist - sitting next to me - is turning 80 in a couple of months, looks to be in great shape, is sharp as a tack, and plays REALLY well.
I can easily tell original lacquer from replacement lacquer, and he was playing a MINT-condition H.N. White era King 3B.
Afterward, I saw him loading heavy band equipment into their fancy-"wrapped" (outside pictures, band name, etc.) trailer. There are no "young" guys in that band.
The bandleader himself had (HAD) pancreatic cancer, a few years ago. He was not in Minnesota to visit the Mayo Clinic, but up there to watch a pro ballgame prior to (usually, in vain) treatment, back at home...but bumped into a stranger at the game who works at the Clinic, and was hooked up with a doctor with the remarkable talent
of individually removing all the tiny little cancer clusters from non-metastasized pancreases. The bandleader's cancer (now: age 74) has not come back (well...not yet...), and he's healthy as a horse. I believe this band (as he fronted professional big-bands in the past) is his way of giving back. Moreover, I had a really good time, received quite a bit of encouragement (and compliments from musicians I'd not before encountered), was really impressed by both the musical talent and kindness of all of the band members, sat at a table (prior) with the church's really kind (forty years at the job) preacher, and was fed an amazing meal - consisting of (perhaps) the best specially-prepared/seasoned chicken breast I've ever been served.
