TubaForum.net

I saw this in a piece of music...
What does this mean?

pesotum tolono

Watch the conductor is my best guess.

Most things printed on the music implore you to watch the conductor, or play the oboe/viola cues.

Google Maps tells me it's 5.2 miles between Pesotum, Illinois and Tolono, Illinois. Both in Champaigne County.

This article talks about the two towns during WWI: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/historia/

I'd bet it means "heavy" something or other. Aside from the fact that it's on a tuba part, "peso" means weight (or "cheap date" in Mexicoland).

Alternatively, Ai says:
Based on a search of Indonesian, regional dialects, and common slang, "pesotum tolono" does not appear to be a recognized phrase in the Indonesian language.

Or,

It is highly likely these are misspellings or misinterpretations of Italian musical terms. Based on the likely intent, here are potential corrections:
Tolono may be a misspelling of Tono (Tone/Pitch) or Tosto (Rapid/Swift).
Pesotum may be a misspelling of Pesante (Heavy/Weighted).

I'd prolly go with the fast and heavy cheap date.

According to Wikipedia Tolono.. came from a shorthand note on a surveyors map... to low, no.. swampland.

Pesotum was named after a tribal warrior ..

So obviously that means... Majestically but you know like casual and not too deep.

yeah...just a little chuckle for the weekend.

Someone got it right off the bat.
(Google ruins everything. )





A friend (amazing organized and darn-good trombonist) wrote a brass quintet theme-and-variations on Over The Waves (back when we were in kolij), and that was his tempo/expression marking at the beginning.

btw...
I'm no where near there (suburbs of Champaign/Urbana), I pulled the sign pic off of street view (I-57).

bloke wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2026 2:54 pm yeah...just a little chuckle for the weekend.

Someone got it right off the bat.
(Google ruins everything. )





A friend (amazing organized and darn-good trombonist) wrote a brass quintet theme-and-variations on Over The Waves (back when we were in kolij), and that was his tempo/expression marking at the beginning.

btw...
I'm no where near there (suburbs of Champaign/Urbana), I pulled the sign pic off of street view (I-57).

I grew up in New England, around a lot of hills and twisty roads. I've spent most of my adult life in Alaska near the water and mountains. I can't stand not living near the water, and I love the mountains.

However.

It always feels so good when I have an excuse to get onto some long, straight, open roads where the sky doesn't end. That picture makes me want to go for a drive.

bloke wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2026 2:54 pm yeah...just a little chuckle for the weekend.

Someone got it right off the bat.
(Google ruins everything. )





A friend (amazing organized and darn-good trombonist) wrote a brass quintet theme-and-variations on Over The Waves (back when we were in kolij), and that was his tempo/expression marking at the beginning.

btw...
I'm no where near there (suburbs of Champaign/Urbana), I pulled the sign pic off of street view (I-57).

If Mickey Moore was on the forums, he would have gotten it as soon as you pressed submit.