What tuba should I play at tonight's outdoor concert?

[arpthark]

Decide my fate, O Great TubaForum.

[iiipopes]

Over the decades, I have had better luck playing a souzy outdoors for the projection, with one exception. For years I played Memorial Day at the regional federal cemetery that has a large elevated rectangular gazebo. The ceiling of the gazebo is plaster, and so the tone of a conventional tuba radiates from the ceiling and is a better fit for this singular gig than a souzy for a typical outdoor gig.

[bort2.0]

What's the makeup of the rest of the section?

One summer I played in a band with a large tuba section, like 8 tubas. So, I used my Cervrny 653 F tuba. Was fun in the section.

However, on the HOTTEST concert ever (oldschool all-concrete bandshell, surrounded by all concrete patio... A literal oven...), nobody thought to tell me they wouldn't be there. So I showed up, with a 100 piece band as the only tuba player, with a little Cerveny F tuba.

"Not recommended."

BTW, I voted for your F tuba.

[bloke]

I only picked the 36K as (though "that C") the intonation is less wonky than with the Reynolds...

...but were you the one who shortened your #1 circuit and installed an upper return SLIDE?

If so, 36K gets an additional ceremonial vote from me.

[arpthark]

I only picked the 36K as (though "that C") the intonation is less wonky than with the Reynolds...

...but were you the one who shortened your #1 circuit and installed an upper return SLIDE?

If so, 36K gets an additional ceremonial vote from me.

Yup, and yup.

On the fence between it and the Reynolds. Might bring both and see what everyone else thinks. I guess I should look at the music with B-flat fingerings in mind sometime in the next hour.

Three tubas in the section (Conn 12J, King 1241, and whatever I bring).

[Inkin]

I picked the 36k because it’s likely the easiest one to stroll in with and leave right away with. Haha

[bloke]

I only picked the 36K as (though "that C") the intonation is less wonky than with the Reynolds...

...but were you the one who shortened your #1 circuit and installed an upper return SLIDE?

If so, 36K gets an additional ceremonial vote from me.

Yup, and yup.

On the fence between it and the Reynolds. Might bring both and see what everyone else thinks. I guess I should look at the music with B-flat fingerings in mind sometime in the next hour.

Three tubas in the section (Conn 12J, King 1241, and whatever I bring).

' better bring the 4-valve...
B-flat is already amateur enough without being 3-valve.

[arpthark]

TFFJ spoke and I listened.

[humBell]

How'd it go?

[bloke]

I didn't know it had half of a thousandth of an inch of silver on it. That thing sounds way too bright for a community band.

[ronr]

I picked the 621. E cause I’ve been Jonesing for one ever since I sold mine.

[arpthark]

@humBell, it went great!

This concert was near the drawbridge in downtown Mystic. We had a great turnout despite the looming clouds (and we avoided any rain).

The biggest challenge for me wasn't sight-reading the concert with B-flat fingerings, but (likely) overblowing for most of the concert, since I couldn't really hear myself. I play a bell-front tuba in outdoor gigs maybe once a year, and I am not used to it. Oh yeah, and this thing is HEAVY.

I played it standing up in front of the band in some hokey (not "real") Dixieland thing. Some lady came up and said it looked like I needed a harness. I said next concert, we can pay her to stand up with the band and hold it for me.

[arpthark]

I didn't know it had half of a thousandth of an inch of silver on it. That thing sounds way too bright for a community band.

Don't worry -- following the sage advice of some old-timers, I poured milk down the leadpipe, which gave it a creamier tone to counteract the bright silver.

Also, it was cloudy, which made the sound darker.

[Mary Ann]

On/off topic, I ate lunch at Mystic Pizza once. Lived in New London for a summer (1985?) Didn't go to any outdoor concerts, but remember rarely seeing the sun.