Merry Tuba Christmas

[eggwards]

Played this morning in the annual Tuba Christmas performance here in Houston. It was at Williams Tower (yes, the same tower the guy fell/jumped from the other day see journal).

I had never used a C tuba before. Tubas come in different sizes and keys, and I had always played a B-flat model. I got a good deal on this C horn a few weeks ago. The fingerings for the notes are one step up, and a little confusing. I tried learning the fingerings, but I'm not motivated to practice much since I don't play very often anymore. i also wrote in the fingerings on some of the music for the performance.

I sucked, but there were 200 other tuba players to take up for me, so no real problem. It was a lovely day outside and there was a nice crowd listening. I also get to see several people I only se once a year - old friends from college and such. Click the link for a picture of me and my horn.

"Tuba pic"

Comments

[lukebacca.livejournal.com]

I played the trumpet through high school. I was always first chair, and the only soloist... then I got kicked out for failing to attend band camp. Haven't played since.

I miss it, though. I would love to learn a few new instruments but have neither the time nor the funds to do it. Ah, well.

Someday...

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Didn't attend band camp? There's got to be a story there. You must have been in one of those really competitive bands. Band camp isn't fun anyway, despite what Alyson Hannigan (American Pie) would have you believe.

I keep telling myself that I should learn guitar or try again to learn piano. Music means a lot in my life, and is a big conncetion between me and my friends. I can't think of not trying to play now and again.

Good luck!

[algebear.livejournal.com]

Nice pic! and nice tuba! :-)

I've only played a Bb tuba myself. And I played at the Chicago tuba Christmas one year, but there were far too many people and far too many kids. Each song got louder and louder and slower and slower...........

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

There's no mistaking Tuba Christmas for a symphony. The crowd is mostly school age kids because they have access to horns. The tempos slow down and speed up, amd of course, key signatures are totally forgotten. Still, it's fun and it gets me into the holiday spirit. I've been doing it for 15 years.

[latincub.livejournal.com]

Verrry nice pic. Though I was pretty much a woodwind player (oboe, Sax) in high school and college, I did pic up brass intruments when I got involved with the Salvation Army. I got pretty good with the Tuba (Eb and C). Went to band camp with it.

Though it's been about 8 years, I had a lot of fun playing it, particulary during Christmas around the Christmas Kettles. Fond memories.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Thank You Very Much!

Music has meant a lot in my life, even if I don't play much anymore. I started on Sax and HATED it. I was so happy to move to Tuba. Some instruments are just made for you...

I've done gigs for charity too, but not much lately.

Too bad you're in CA. Woof!

[latincub.livejournal.com]

Well if you ever get to LA . . . . . . . (grins)