Decision.

[let1troll]

I have recently discovered a love for playing the sousaphone in Pep band. I sort of want to play it for marching band, and my director has shown a lot of interest in this idea. I think that it would be fun, and it would be nice to be in the section with my boyfriend and a friend of mine.

The only reason that I am even asking this question is because I love playing trumpet so very much. I love marching it and playing, and I love being in the section, but I hate the drama and the egos of some of the people who are in the trumpet section. So, I would be leaving the instrument that I LOVE to play for the instrument that I ENJOY playing. And I would be leaving all of the drama.

I plan to stay on trumpet for concert, however, because I don't think I can give it up entirely for the tuba. I plan to continue playing it no matter what, and it isn't quite fair to make me switch entirely because of my interest in marching.

So, any input? Because I don't want to make the wrong decision.

[SaxGirl]

Well, let's see.

1. Your boyfriend and friend are in the sousaphone section. I'd say that's pretty good, perhaps except for the "unwritten rule" violation: never date in your section! I did and made a big mistake. That's not to say it can't work, and it seems like you were already dating, but it's just something to consider.
2. You'll be away from the trumpets you don't like. Always a plus. Think about it - you can play trumpet any time you want AWAY from those people, since you love it so much.
3. Playing sousaphone would give you a whole new handle on marching band. Who knows, you might find that you love marching it even more.

I'm originally a saxophone player. That used to be all I played. Ever. Then I taught myself trombone, and marched it exclusively for my last two years of high school. It was a pleasant enough to escape the drama that made me leave the sax section in the first place. Drama can really ruin how much fun an instrument can be... so just keep that in mind. You obviously love your trumpet. Just play it outside of marching band! You can still enjoy it, but avoid the people.

Making the switch from marching alto sax to trombone was quite a lot of fun. I ended up as the trombone section leader, and though that gave me my own drama to deal with, it was still a nice change. Why don't you try it with sousaphone? You'll have a new section to befriend, new duties to fulfill, and you can still play your trumpet on the side.

My two cents, that's all. Good luck!

[let1troll]

Thanks so much. This gave me a whole new perspective on things. Everyone around here says trumpet, because they're afraid that the section will fall apart without my chops, but I'm afraid that I'm going to fall apart and having to quit marching band completely. But I'm still not sure that I want to leave the trumpet. I am one of the loudest people in the section, and there may be one person that is as reliable and knows the music like I do left in the section, and I don't think he'll step up and take control once the section leader is gone.

[Deleted]

If the trumpets can't stand without you, I would say stick with trumpet, and play sousa in the stands. I play a trombone in the stands because A) I like it and B) I was my baritones to stand on their own, but I still march baritone.

[let1troll]

BTW, just responding to your post, SaxGirl, we have been dating for almost 5 months, and we were not section mates at the begining of the relationship. In fact, I didn't know anything about him other than his name prior to dating him.

And to you, Oscar, I don't know if they CAN stand without me. Leaving them in pep band has been pretty tough on the sound, to tell you the truth. When I do play with them, there seems to be a better general response from the crowd, and there is more fun to be had everywhere because I am willing to cover a bit of every part. I have a pretty decent range so, you know. I just add all over the place.

I think, though, in marching, that they might be able to survive without me. I'm not sure, to tell you the truth, and I don't know if switching is an option with the fact that rookies will triple the section without me, and we all know how rookies march. . . so I don't really know. It all depends on the outcome.

[let1troll]

Well, it's nearly official that I'm marching the sousaphone now. I know that the section can survive without me and personally I think that I would be a much happier person if I were to get out of that section. People are constantly insulting my playing and being immature, so I'm going to move on to a section that makes more sense for me. Any tips, now that this may as well be official?

[Deleted]

Whoever takes over as section leader, offer your assistance once, and if they don't go for it, never again, and don't remind them. You may want to play trumpet in the stands, since the switch from trumpet to tuba is likely to hurt your chops and there is still a chance you will be needed on trumpet at some point, maybe post-marching.

[the_sousabone]

I switched from what I "loved" to what I "enjoyed" when I switched to tuba. Found a whole new musician in myself learning from the start again. So it can be very beneficial to you, or you could just become frustrated with it and throw it at a wall (like my music stand). But either way, when it comes down to it, you'll know what to do.

[bandgeek101]

Just know that the sousaphone is much more difficult to march. Most have bells that tip you to one side. I would suggest trying contra if you have them. They are at least balanced front to back.

[the_sousabone]

^ agreed.

[let1troll]

I have marched with them before. It doesn't bother me. We don't have contra's, and we wouldn't be allowed to march them if we had them. Our director is a very avid sousa man.
But I can march it pretty easily, really. I marched with one during a parade at the end of the year.
It wasn't that bad. And I'll be a lot more balanced without that STUPID plume on my head. = ]
Our sousa's wear barre's. (I don't know how to spell it, but there you go. = ])

[bandgeek101]

^^I'd go for it if you can

Just be prepared for it to be pretty hard to change direction. The first law of motion keeps the momentum going in one direction. But don't worry, tuba is 10 times for fun that any other instrument.

[let1troll]

Okay, so here is an update. I am no longer a trumpet player. I got braces and had to give up the trumpet all together. I play concert tuba and I'm marching sousaphone starting Monday (the memorial day parade). I like it so much better and I can play it so much easier. I, of course, am not great yet, but I am very much impressed with myself. I fit in with the section much better now (except when someone tried to take my tuba) and I haven't regretted my decision, except maybe not being able to hug the senior trumpet section leader at the last concert.
I am really excited about playing, and I am so glad you guys were willing to help me. I am very much happier thanks to your advice.

[let1troll]

OH. And my STILL boyfriend has switched to trombone perminently, as a test from the band director, who thought that I was switching because of the relationship. We are both very much happier and I am very glad that I don't have to worry about him testing me anymore. I have proven myself several times, and I'm very happy with my decision. THANKS SO MUCH!

[Deleted]

I'm sorry to hear about the braces thing...those things just need to die. Anyways, glad to hear you're doing well as a tuba...low brass>trumpets