T-Rowdy23 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 This is my problem: I'm a female tuba player, but I am also 5ft 2in, and weigh 117 lbs. This past marching band season i switched to sousaphone from clarinet (which led to torn shoulder muscles and tendonitis in my left wrist). I am considering auditioning for either Spirit of Atlanta or the Cadets for next year/2015. I have heard that the contra players have to be a certain weight/height, but I really want to do this. Am i in over my head? Or is the switch from Sousaphone to Contra not as bad as it seems? And is there any way to condition myself for this kind of commitment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad T. Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I can't speak for specific corps, but most contras are about 40" tall and weigh 25-30 lbs. If you're lucky (or unlucky), Spirit or Cadets may be marching a line of Sousaphones by the time you audition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLovin Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 This is my problem: I'm a female tuba player, but I am also 5ft 2in, and weigh 117 lbs. This past marching band season i switched to sousaphone from clarinet (which led to torn shoulder muscles and tendonitis in my left wrist). I am considering auditioning for either Spirit of Atlanta or the Cadets for next year/2015. I have heard that the contra players have to be a certain weight/height, but I really want to do this. Am i in over my head? Or is the switch from Sousaphone to Contra not as bad as it seems? And is there any way to condition myself for this kind of commitment? Best way you can get used to marching a contra will be to just practice holding it, getting that muscle memory in. If you're looking for lighter horns, I hear, though do not know from experience, that Yamaha contras are the lightest of all the major brands of horns that corps use, so I would go for a corps that uses Yamahas, if you're considered about the weight of the horn. I march a Kantsul Grande G horn right now and its heavier than any horn I have ever marched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfallon Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 This is my problem: I'm a female tuba player, but I am also 5ft 2in, and weigh 117 lbs. This past marching band season i switched to sousaphone from clarinet (which led to torn shoulder muscles and tendonitis in my left wrist). I am considering auditioning for either Spirit of Atlanta or the Cadets for next year/2015. I have heard that the contra players have to be a certain weight/height, but I really want to do this. Am i in over my head? Or is the switch from Sousaphone to Contra not as bad as it seems? And is there any way to condition myself for this kind of commitment? I have known some really and truly fine contra/tuba players that were a) diminutive b) either gender c) challenged at the start that made up for the extra height and weight with the size of their hearts. It's not easy for anyone to play contra. They weigh close to 40 lbs. Every decent contra player is a warrior of one sort or another. Hope you make it. We'll cheer. Don't take any crap from the big people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drk90 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I would like to reply this email. I have played a sousaphone and contras ranging from an Olds valve/rotor to a Dynasty 4V SuperMagnum. In comparison, the Sousaphone is heavier and is harder on the shoulder. For a contra, none of them weigh 40lbs. (The heaviest are the 4Vs which are about 26 lbs.) With a 3V I am guessing approximately 22 lbs. Marching a contra is also easier on the shoulder as the horn is more balanced front and back than a Sousaphone. As you practice with the todays marching tubas, you back and shoulder will learn to compensate for the added weight. Don't let anybody intimidate you or let you think you can't march with a tuba. I wish you the best of luck in auditions and marching this summer. Kary 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contra94 Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Practice the hell out of your tuba, whenever both corps release their audition information/music for 2015 (probably next October/November), practice it until you hate it. Take tuba lessons, start working out. At the auditions don't be scared, the staff WANTS you to succeed. Don't give them a reason to doubt your ability. Do a lot of upper body/back work outs. If you are near a local DCA corps, see if they might have a spot open, or even Cadets*2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShutUpAndPlayYerGuitar Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I marched with a couple of contra players that had a similar body type, and they were both stellar. One of them aged-out a DCI champion. A lot of the advice on here is good, especially Contra94's ("Don't give them a reason to doubt your ability" and "If you are near a local DCA corps, see if they might have a spot open ...") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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