TubaForum.net

If you didn't know this (or have never seen this pic) Booker T. Jones (Memphis Stax recording superstar - Hammond organ), was also a tuba player.

This picture (of him putting down a track) is one that I particularly like, due to the "cig-a-set" hand position.

...but notice the English-made BESSON sousaphone.

It borrows the three-valve TOP-action NON-compensating valveset from the Besson B-flat tuba, and (as Kanstul and Yamaha have done) reconfigured it to front-action. This defines that all the "stuff" is sorta jammed in next to the third branch (' nothing wrong with that... )...

...but (even though NOT compensating) those with just a little bit of imagination should be able to see how a three-valve compensating system could be woven into a sousaphone.

review:
- 1 & 3 NOT sharp
- 1, 2, & 3 NOT sharp
- slight tendency for 2 & 3 to be flat (YET the low F-sharp should NO LONGER be sharp, and the D-sharp just below the staff would NO LONGER be sharp. (issue, the flat-tending F-sharp just at the bottom of the staff would be even flatter.)

I'm thinking of imitating a King (with the great intonation/clarity those offer) and mounting a King-bore 11/16" (THREE VALVE COMPENSATING) valveset on it.

A fiberglass body and bell would be a PLUS (rather than SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS of dent removal annually - plus - in a handful of years - a butt-ugly lacquer or silver finish)...and FINE: GELCOAT the bodies in a choice of metallic gold or metallic silver.

These should be used (to be sensible, and to respect taxpayers - and REGARDLESS of whether any particular state/school system is loaded with local/federal dough) for BOTH outdoor AND indoor use. (reminder: We're talking about CHILDREN, and - these days - many of whom have no respect for anything-in-particular and most of whom have had NO mechanical/maintenance experience whatsoever...and puleeeeeze, no "but my children/school-system/state" crap replies, this time...)

Snooty-poot band directors could hold fundraisers to purchase 19-inch detachable upright bells (because - well all know - "recording bells" are not for "serious" music).

Oh yeah...some guy named "Sousa" - I believe - used sousaphones all the time:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hARv8Qiy0g/ ... urrer.jpeg





OK...Booker T. and the MG's...

Everyone knows "Time is Tight" and "Green Onions"...but I wonder (??) if everyone has heard "Soul Limbo" (as it isn't used in movies - etc. - as much as are the previously-mentioned two...

I feel like my lung capacity is a limitation on my playing as it is. I can't imagine playing while smoking a cigarette.

apropos of nothing...

Bob Altshuler wrote the sleeve notes on the first Booker T. & the M.G.'s album Green Onions released by Stax Records in 1962:

[His] musical talents became apparent at a very early age. By the time he entered high school, Booker was already a semi-professional, and quickly recognized as the most talented musician in his school. He was appointed director of the school band for four years, and in addition, organized the school dance orchestra which played for proms throughout the Mid-South. In the classroom, he concentrated on the studies of music theory and harmony. ... Booker's multiple activities earned him a coveted honour, that of being listed in the students' "Who's Who of American High Schools." Booker's first instrument was the string bass, but he soon switched to the organ. Booker came to the attention of record executive Jim Stewart in Memphis, and while still in high school he worked as a staff musician for Stax Records, appearing as sideman on many recording dates for that label. It became obvious that one day Booker would be ready to record under his own name and several months later Booker's first recording session was set.

ref

1) Yes. Convert the upper loop of the 1st valve slide to a usable slide (for those who can use it), and everything is in tune. I remember my high school band and the fiberglass Kings: the only issue was the 1+3 C below the staff that had to be lipped, and lipped, and lipped, because nobody knew about what an adjustible first valve slide could do. Not even the trumpet players (except me with my Dad's King Super 20 with the 1st valve ring): most of the rest had either King Tempos or King Clevelands - no 1st valve adjustments.
2) I used to have a Besson 3-valve comp BBb with the 17-inch bell. High school repertoire doesn't need anything below 1+3 low F below open low BBb (for that matter, neither do the majority of community bands). It is THE PERFECT tuba for high school: absolutely in tune and built like a tank. You can even use a Bach 18 on it and have a tone that is "Our American Cousin" if you don't have or can't get a Wick 1.

Aside: many years ago, when my son started in elementary school band, bloke helped me get a pearl valve button for my son's student Bach (Bundy) cornet too replace the one that was coming loose. Then a local tech helped me get an extra 1st valve slide with a saddle so when his hands grew he could change from the plain slide and put the slide with the 1st valve saddle on it.

Second aside: all these years later, I still play cornet in one ensemble. Following what Harry James did, I set the 3rd valve slide long. Then following what I did for my son, I make most adjustments with the 3rd valve slide. If I need to trill, I set the 3rd valve ring to pull in, not push out.

He also played baritone sax.