Blokespecial 186 in Action - Final Product Added

[Doc]

Bill's a very fine player, and I take no credit for how well the tuba plays, nor how well he plays it.
I chose to fix that particular (formerly distressed) tuba back up and modernize it BECAUSE it plays well. (I did NOT take something that featured mediocre playing characteristics and add any sort of "magic" to it.)
That having been said, a smart player will do just as do Bill and I: They will seek out instruments that are so easy to play, that the effortlessness of using those instruments even approaches overcoming one's own limitations.

That having been said (as I attempt to do), one might also attempt to be smart enough to not hang on to every single instrument encountered that achieves that set of criteria (as - though somewhat rare - such instruments can be found, and too many can easily end up being owned), particularly when their uses begin to overlap too much.

Collectors gather things - of various genre - of historical, oddball, or particularly-fine-example-of interest.
Blue collar musicians (such as myself) view instruments as equipment. It's good to have plenty of equipment, but it can become burdensome to own too much - particularly when "maintaining complete familiarity with the operating procedures of each piece of equipment" begins to take time away from "accomplishing the tasks at hand". I view Bill as being the same type of instrument owner as am I.

Joe and I have very similar views about many things tuba and non-tuba. For my own purposes, I see tubas as tools, and I want the tools that make it easy to do the task at hand. But I also love the tuba. I'm likely much more of a tuba nerd than Joe. I really am a tuba geek.

[Three Valves]

I'd like to see the finished project!!

[Doc]

I'd like to see the finished project!!

If they share it with us, I'll post it.

[Doc]

Here is the finished product. Not studio perfect, but given the limited time and circumstances, I like it. The cut of the Karg-Elert they chose for the postlude was the last take of the day. Trumpets were a bit tired, so I don’t know why they chose this take. I’m always highly critical of my own playing (this recording is no exception), but there is no question the tuba makes a really nice sound and is lots of fun to play!

Lord, Speak to Me - 36:08

Praise the Lord - 45:03

https://vimeo.com/blueprintfilmco/revie ... 1f64f32da3

Hello @Three Valves !

[Three Valves]

Great selections!!

Those Episcopalians are real firebrands at the alter.

I liked the Spanish speaking fellow, he reminded me of the Mass in Latin days.

[matt g]

Great playing, @Doc!

I really do love the medium to low register timbre these old ‘Fones like to make. A nice meaty core with a just a fringe of “brightness” around that core. It’s an unmistakable sound.

And yeah, Mirafones have a great way of getting onto tape.

[Doc]

Great selections!!

Those Episcopalians are real firebrands at the alter.

I liked the Spanish speaking fellow, he reminded me of the Mass in Latin days.

[Doc]

Great playing, @Doc!

I really do love the medium to low register timbre these old ‘Fones like to make. A nice meaty core with a just a fringe of “brightness” around that core. It’s an unmistakable sound.

And yeah, Mirafones have a great way of getting onto tape.

Aside from the playing, if I had a criticism, it is the super-overdone reverb added in post-production, especially on the Karg-Elert. Really muddies up the sound. The sanctuary had a beautiful natural reverb. Even so, you still manage to hear some of those desirable Mirafone qualities.