cybersnyder Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) I'm 50 and I've always wanted to try playing Contra. Is it too late? I've played trumpet / mellophone / baritone / euphonium and a lot of electric bass. The thing that kicked this itch off was 2012 or 2013 maybe an outside chance of 2014 while I was in the Baltimore Ravens Marching band a Fusion Core contra was warming up across the street at Havre de Grace, younger African American guy. He was apparently improving on some walking bass lines and it was very cool. I have ~10 electric basses at home, so wouldn't a contra be something different to add to the lineup? Always in high demand for cover bands, right? </sarcasm> My heart says "get a contra", my head says, "an upright would get you a ton more gigs". Edited September 12, 2019 by cybersnyder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeN Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 2 hours ago, cybersnyder said: I'm 50 and I've always wanted to try playing Contra. Is it too late? I've played trumpet / mellophone / baritone / euphonium and a lot of electric bass. The thing that kicked this itch off was 2012 or 2013 maybe an outside chance of 2014 while I was in the Baltimore Ravens Marching band a Fusion Core contra was warming up across the street at Havre de Grace, younger African American guy. He was apparently improving on some walking bass lines and it was very cool. I have ~10 electric basses at home, so wouldn't a contra be something different to add to the lineup? Always in high demand for cover bands, right? </sarcasm> My heart says "get a contra", my head says, "an upright would get you a ton more gigs". I would assume a contra would get you the same gigs as a sousaphone, really. Probably no good with German type bands, but would definitely work in funk-type stuff or Honk bands? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybersnyder Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 9 minutes ago, MikeN said: I would assume a contra would get you the same gigs as a sousaphone, really. Probably no good with German type bands, but would definitely work in funk-type stuff or Honk bands? Mike Kinda just looking to play, maybe some Christmas brass caroling. I'll keep my eye out for used instruments. $10k for the one I want is probably overkill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigW Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 There's a guy known as "Tuba Joe" who plays with Al Chez and his Brothers of Funk. Evidently anyone affiliated with Bush knows the cat and he's quite good and well regarded. I'd think someone can get you in touch or give you a lead from there. If not... I have a lead but I need to be lucky enough to see him some time this fall. That fellow knows the craft , knows him and deeply respects him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigW Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 3 hours ago, cybersnyder said: Kinda just looking to play, maybe some Christmas brass caroling. I'll keep my eye out for used instruments. $10k for the one I want is probably overkill. Tubachristmas is always wonderful to play in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReturnOfTheSonOfSUAPYG Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Never too late, I would say. Yamaha has the most ergonomic marching tubas, and a lot of corps use them. Try reaching out to a Yamaha corps and see if they have any old ones for sale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.E. Brigand Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 On 9/12/2019 at 7:42 PM, BigW said: Tubachristmas is always wonderful to play in. And at every Tubachristmas I've played in, there are usually a few people who only pick up a tuba (or baritone) once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigW Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 19 hours ago, N.E. Brigand said: And at every Tubachristmas I've played in, there are usually a few people who only pick up a tuba (or baritone) once a year. Williamsport, PA had a 90+ year old cat from the Repasz Band who was mainly a Cornet player who got around real, real well on an antique Besson he borrowed from a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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