Re: fitting a sousaphone


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Rob P-M on August 27, 2002 at 07:43:07:

In Reply to: fitting a sousaphone posted by l on August 26, 2002 at 23:58:30:

There are a couple of issues in sousaphone "fit". The basic size question relates to the inside diameter of the horn. While before WWII there were many different sizes of sousaphones and differing inside diameters, since WWII, there has been a significant reduction in models available. A truly huge person might not fit in the more or less standard sized King 2350 or Conn 20K.

For the most part, however, I think that "fit" issues are related to the improper holding/wearing of sousaphones. Today, I see many high school bandsmen/bandswomen wearing a sousaphone almost across the front of their body, with the bell turned back towards the valve cluster to face forward. This is not the traditional way to hold a sousaphone, as illustrated in literally hundreds of photographs and catalogs from the 20's and 30's. Worn in the correct way, far fewer people have trouble with the size of a sousaphone inner diameter.

The correct way to hold a sousaphone is to have the front tubing of the circle make a diagonal line across the body like a seat belt would, from left shoulder to right hip, with the valve section about where one's hand would be if you bend your elbow to 90 degrees and point your arm forward. The bell should face forward or slightly to the left making a straight line from the last branch. If you have a Conn 20K with the numbers 20K on the bell and on the bell collar, on most instruments, the place to start the bell alignment is with the numbers lined up with each other. Of course some adjustment may be needed.


Follow Ups: