Members soundministries Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Just picked up a Conn 28K Satin silver with gold trim 4 valved Eb sousaphone. I've been wanting to get a good sousaphone for awhile now and when I came across this one the wife said yes so I did it:thu: The little I've played it so far it seems to have a good response throughout the range. Gonna take it out to my classroom tomorrow and run through some of the pep band tunes with my students this week and then take it to the Octuber fest in a couple of weeks to run it through its paces. Here's a link to some pics if anybody is interested: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26639&id=1662936609&l=65e65b8106 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 Looks like a nice one. My college had some junky old lacquer Sousaphones; the tubists would have killed to have something like that to play! What key are most Sousaphones in? I'm not well versed in tubas, but I thought Bb (or is it BBb?) was standard for Sousaphones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundministries Posted October 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 You will most commonly find sousaphones (and the typical school horn) pitched in Bb (or BBb if you prefer). In the early part of the 20th Century a lot of schools in the US started tuba players on Eb horns as the transition from a Bb trupmet or baritone was an easier one; also because most Eb's are typically smaller in size and therefore require a little less air, though you are a brass player and understand that may not always be the case Anyway, most sousaphones are BBb, but as my personal tuba is an Eb I've been looking for a good Eb sousaphone or helicon to use and came across this one so went ahead a jumped on it. I just ran it through some of my solo works and etudes and it plays very well with only one or two funky notes that can easily be fixed with alternate fingerings. All in all I am happy with this horn so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted October 5, 2009 Members Share Posted October 5, 2009 Even on smaller horns alternate fingerings are the only way to make some horns play right. Very few Eb trumpets play the D, Eb and E at the top of the treble clef in tune using "normal" fingerings. Sounds like you have a nice new weapon in your arsenal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members danrothmusic Posted October 7, 2009 Members Share Posted October 7, 2009 beautiful! I didn't know people bough personal sousas, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundministries Posted October 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 7, 2009 I bought it in the hopes of eventually getting a strolling type dixie jazz group going and the sousaphone would be more practical for that type of setting. I also figured if I'm going to continue teaching in smaller rural schools that I will continue playing at the games with my pep bands so I'd rather have a good Eb rather than continue to go from my Eb concert tuba to a BBb sousaphone and occasionally miss a note because I fogot which horn I had:facepalm: That and I just really wanted one to call my own:love: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted October 8, 2009 Members Share Posted October 8, 2009 That and I just really wanted one to call my own:love: Thats 90% of why I have two Bb trumpets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundministries Posted October 8, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 8, 2009 Thats 90% of why I have two Bb trumpets. And why I have a professional euphonium, a bass trombone, a straight tenor trombone (in addition to my wife's), and a 2 valved baritone bugle pitched in G. Who knows what tomorrow's adventures will bring to the growing family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted October 8, 2009 Members Share Posted October 8, 2009 And why I have a professional euphonium, a bass trombone, a straight tenor trombone (in addition to my wife's), and a 2 valved baritone bugle pitched in G. Who knows what tomorrow's adventures will bring to the growing family My college had a SWEET 5-valve C tuba. Everyone should have one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SoldierStape01 Posted October 10, 2009 Members Share Posted October 10, 2009 That is a nice sousaphone you got there. I started out on Tuba what seems years ago. I had a full-ride playing for a local college but ended up dropping out of the Music Ed. Program.... Biggest mistake of my life. I mainly played BBb and C but did use an Eb from time to time for solo work... Great keyed instrument. I definitely like them, and you sousa find there. VERY NICE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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