Posted by former HS bandee on August 27, 2002 at 05:40:04:
In Reply to: fitting a sousaphone posted by l on August 26, 2002 at 23:58:30:
When i was in high school, I was scared to death I wouldn't fit a sousaphone. (It was mainly a result of very distorted self-image, I was 5'2" and had severe eating disorder issues at the time.) I found, although I don't play sousaphone anymore 10 years later, that working out will help your breathing, regardless of which tuba you play. (Or any instrument for that matter!) I'm thinking that probably your breath issues are more a result of how you are taking air in than being "restrained" by the sousaphone, but I could be wrong. Try walking / running with weights, or even a tuba. You will be in shape faster than you know it!!! When you say the instrument is too small, are you too tall, or otherwise? At any rate, good luck, and hopefully things will get easier for you...