Posted by Les Smith on August 02, 2001 at 16:40:25:
Why do you play the tuba and not some other instrument? What made you decide to play the tuba instead of, say, clarinet or bassoon or baritone sax or flute of whatever?
Here's my story. I started playing trumpet in the 5th or 6th grade but never did much practicing. At the beginning of my senior year in high school, the band director sat me down and said, in effect, "Look, you'll never be first chair ahead of Xxx (a guy a year behind me who was _good_). But the band needs a tuba player, and if you'll make the switch, I can guarantee you first chair (the only other tuba player was in the 9th or 10th grade and was just learning the instrument)." That was one of the biggest favors anyone every did for me. I made the switch. Loved the sound and had a ball. Played with the band all the way through college, then--40 years later--picked it up again, started taking lessons, joined a couple of groups, bought a magnificent new tuba and am enjoying it even more.
What's your excuse?