Tuba stress

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Well it's been a while. You may wonder why?

The answer is, a professional gig has intruded on the peace of Tuba playing, and as usual has brought mixed blessings... Tons of cash and lots of stress!
If anyone has ever played the Bass trombone/Tuba book for the Lion King they know what I am talking about. The show itself I have not seen, having been deep in the pit, but the music, especially the choral music was heavenly. It was just a few things: the many sforzandi, and the one important pedal C on tuba at the close of act one which cause one's brow to become furrowed...

That wonderful experience is over, and now I am free to enjoy my hobby, away from the constraints of performance pressure. The PT-3 is more fun than ever!

Bohemian beauty

Just got back from our tour of Prague. With my son Travis as my travelling companion, I spent a week in the land that brought us Plzensky Prazdroj (you might know it better as Pilsener Urquell), and the rotary valve tuba in it's present form!

On the beer side, all went swimmingly (you know what I mean), but the tuba side was a disappointment. Even though one of the purposes of this blog is to be positive, Prague in late July falls short of the mark if you are looking to try tubas, or maybe get a foot in the factory door to look at the beauties...
I did get to visit the kind folks at Kliment musical instruments, who were sweet and let me try the one tuba in the whole town that was available to try! It was a monster- a Kaiser Tuba (verry large) BBb rotary valve instrument. What a gorgeous sound this horn makes! (see above for a picture of the machine in question).

Prague itself is a heavenly city, heartily recommended it to those to appreciate culture, cuisine, beer, fantastic architecture, and friendly people.

Peace Through Tubaism

Hello friends (and enemies)!

This blog will be about the peace you can achieve (inner and outer) through the playing that most wonderful musical instrument, the Tuba. Playing tuba makes you feel good.

The above instrument is the handmade Yamaha CC orchestral tuba, going for about $45,000. You don't need a tuba this expensive to enjoy yourself though. A simple three valve BBb tuba will make anyone happy!

I am off to play my B&S PT-3 tuba!

Peace and Love,

Party Bear