Sousaphone

A sousaphone

The sousaphone is a brass instrument in the same family as the more widely known tuba. Created in the early 1890s by J.W. Pepper at the direction of American bandleader John Philip Sousa (after whom the instrument was then named), it was designed to be easier to play than the concert tuba while standing or marching, as well as to carry the sound of the instrument above the heads of the band. Like the tuba, sound is produced by moving air past the lips, causing them to vibrate or "buzz" into a large cupped mouthpiece. Unlike the tuba, the instrument is bent in a circle to fit around the body of the musician; it ends in a large, flaring bell that is pointed forward, projecting the sound ahead of the player.

Because of the ease of carrying and the direction of sound, it is widely employed in marching bands, as well as various other musical genres. Sousaphones were originally made out of brass but in the mid-twentieth century started to be made from lighter materials like fiberglass; today both types are in wide use.

History

Early sousaphones at the Museum of Making Music.

The first sousaphone was built by James Welsh Pepper in the 1890s (the date is usually given as 1893 but another source claims the correct date to be 1895) at the request of John Philip Sousa, who was dissatisfied with the hélicons in use by the United States Marine Band. Some sources credit C.G. Conn with its construction, because of the first sousaphone he built later in 1898. The new instrument had an oversized bell pointing straight up, rather than the directional bell of a normal hélicon. Sousa had requested a bass instrument that would send sound upward, much like a concert (upright) tuba. Thus, the sousaphone was initially developed as a concert instrument rather than for marching. Sousa wanted the new instrument for the professional band which he started after leaving the Marine Band, and this band marched only once.

Pepper did not continue making the instruments, and when Conn began producing them Sousa used them in his band and the Conn sousaphones became commercially successful. Although less balanced on a player's body than a helicon, because of the large spectacular bell high in the air, the sousaphone retained the tuba-like sound by widening the bore and throat of the instrument significantly. Its upright bell led to the instrument being dubbed a "rain-catcher." Some versions of this design allowed the bell to also rotate forward, projecting the sound to the front of the band. This bell configuration remained the standard for several decades and is the standard today.

The instrument proved practical for marching, and by 1908 the United States Marine Band adopted it.

Versions with the characteristic extra 90° bend making a forward-facing bell were developed in the early 1900s. Early sousaphones had 22-inch (560 mm) diameter bells, with 24-inch (610 mm) bells popular in the 1920s. From the mid-1930s onward, sousaphone bells have been standardized at a diameter of 26 inches (660 mm). Some larger sousaphones (Monster, Grand, Jumbo, Giant, or Grand Jumbo, depending on brand) were produced in limited quantities.

Construction

Sousaphone player Tycho Cohran with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, at the TFF.Rudolstadt 2012

The sousaphone is a valved brass instrument with the same tube length and musical range as other tubas. The sousaphone's shape is such that the bell is above the tubist's head and projecting forward. The valves are situated directly in front of the musician slightly above the waist and all of the weight rests on the left shoulder. The bell is normally detachable from the instrument body to facilitate transportation and storage. Except for the instrument's general shape and appearance, the sousaphone is technically similar to a tuba.

For simplicity and light weight, modern sousaphones almost always use three non-compensating piston valves in their construction, in direct contrast to their concert counterparts' large variation in number, type, and orientation. Both the tuba and sousaphone are semi-conical brass instruments. No valved brass instrument can be entirely conical, since the middle section containing the valves must be cylindrical. While the degree of bore conicity does affect the timbre of the instrument, much as in a cornet and trumpet, or a euphonium and a trombone, the bore profile of a sousaphone is similar to that of most tubas.

To facilitate making the mouthpiece accessible to players of different height or body shapes, most sousaphones contain a detachable tubing gooseneck which arises from the lead pipe on the upwind side of the valves. One or two slightly-angled bit(s) (short tubing lengths) are inserted into the gooseneck, and then the mouthpiece is inserted into the terminal bit. This arrangement may be adjusted in height and yaw angle to place the mouthpiece comfortably at the player's lips.

Materials

Saxophone and sousaphone players at a charity festival in Chicago, July 1930

Most sousaphones are manufactured from sheet brass, usually yellow or silver, with silver, lacquer, and gold plating options, much like many brass instruments. However, the sousaphone (uniquely) is also commonly seen manufactured from fiberglass, due to its lower cost, greater durability, and significantly lighter weight.

The weight of a sousaphone can be between 18 pounds (8.2 kg) and 50 pounds (23 kg). Brass sousaphones tend to be around 30 to 35 pounds, or even more. Fiberglass sousaphones are about half of this, averaging around 15 to 25 pounds.

Pitch

Most modern sousaphones are made in the key of BB♭ (Low B Flat) and like tubas (which are commonly made in pitches of BB♭, CC, EE♭, and F) the instrument's part is written in "concert pitch", not transposed by key for a specific instrument. Although sousaphones may have a more restricted range than their concert tuba counterpart (most sousaphones have 3 valves instead of 4 to reduce weight), generally they can all play the same music and usually have parts written in the bass clef and the indicated octave is played (unlike double bass or electric bass that sound an octave lower than the indicated note.) Many older sousaphones were pitched in the key of E♭, but current production of sousaphones in that key is limited.

Varieties

Although most major instrument manufacturers have made, and many continue to make, sousaphones, Conn and King (H.N. White) instruments are generally agreed among players to be the standards against which other sousaphones are judged for tone quality and playability. Perhaps the most highly regarded sousaphone ever built is the 0.734-inch-bore (18.6 mm) Conn model 20K, introduced in the mid-1930s and still in production. Some players, especially those who find the 20K too heavy for marching, prefer the slightly smaller 0.687-inch-bore (17.4 mm) King model 1250, first made in the late 1920s and also still in production as model 2350. Historically, Holton, York, and Martin sousaphones have also been considered fine horns. Unlike with other brass instruments, some players dislike the sousaphones made by non-American manufacturers.

Very large bore (>= 0.750 inch) sousaphones, with oversized bells as large as 32 inches (81 cm) in diameter, were made by Conn ("Grand Jumbo" [46K (3-valve) and 48K (four-valve)]) and King ("Jumbo" [1265 (three- & four-valve versions)] and "Giant" [1270 (3-valve) and 1271 (four-valve)]) in the mid-1920s and 1930s, and by Martin, York, and Buescher, but they disappeared from the catalogs during the Depression or at the onset of World War II. Because of their weight and cost, few were made and even fewer survive, especially the four-valve models.

Fiberglass

Street performer playing a fiberglass sousaphone

In recent years, sousaphones have been available made of fiberglass reinforced plastics instead of brass. The fiberglass versions are used mainly for marching, with brass instruments being used for all other situations. Depending on the model, the fiberglass version does not have as dark and rich a tone as the brass.

Additional valves

In the 1920s and 1930s, four-valved sousaphones were often used by professional players, especially E♭ sousaphones; today, however, four-valved B♭ sousaphones are uncommon and are prized by collectors, especially those made by Conn, King (H.N. White), and Holton. Jupiter Company started production of four-valve BB♭ sousaphones in the late 2000s, and Dynasty USA makes a four-valve BB♭ sousaphone as well. Criticisms of the fourth valve on a sousaphone center around additional weight, although the fourth valve improves intonation and facilitates playing of the lower register.

Due to the large size of most sousaphones, the sub-contra register (for which the fourth valve is largely intended) is already covered by alternate resonances, known as "false tones" (see Tuba article). Many beginners are not aware of the false-tone resonances on their sousaphones because these notes reside in the sub-contra register, which is nearly impossible for most beginners to access. Some professionals develop a "raised embouchure" to play these notes securely. This is where either the upper or lower lip (depending on the player) takes up most of the mouthpiece area. This embouchure provides almost twice the room for vibration of the single lip (compared to the 50–50 embouchure).

Non-American sousaphones

Asian sousaphones made in China and India are gaining popularity in the street band market. In Switzerland and Southern Germany, "Guggenmusik" bands often use these instruments as they provide great display and passable tone. Most are tuned in E♭. Brands like Zweiss with older British designs make affordable sousaphones that have broken the €500 barrier. These are mostly in the medium-bell size of 23 inches (580 mm). Chinese brands are mostly reverse-engineered models.

Special effects

Costumed sousaphone player, New Orleans, Mardi Gras Day 2005

In large marching bands of the United States, the bell is often covered with a tight fitting cloth, called a sock, which enables the sousaphone section to spell out the school's name, initials, or mascot. The Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band Tööbz! have a tradition of painting the front surface of their sousaphone bells with a variety of images.

Sousaphone players are also known to perform the "flaming tubas" in which flash paper is ignited in the bell, thus making it appear as if the musician is breathing fire. David Silverman (AKA Tubatron) developed a propane powered flaming sousaphone with a trigger valve to control an array of flame jets across the top of the bell of his horn.

The Yale Precision Marching Band has made a tradition of setting fire to the tops of the bells of their sousaphones. This effect was used in the fall of 1992 when sousaphones served as the "candles" of a "wedding cake" formed by the band when two band alumni were married during a halftime show. They also utilize what they refer to as the "Überphone," a sousaphone that was disassembled from its coiled format and welded back together on a twelve-foot frame to extend straight up from the player's shoulders.

College marching bands

John Philip Sousa was a benefactor of the University of Illinois music program and a friend of the university's Director of Bands Albert Austin Harding. The Marching Illini became the first band to march in a football halftime show, and were the first band to use sousaphones on the field.

The sousaphone sections of some marching bands have developed specialized performance traditions. The University of California Marching Band Bass section traditionally "struts" during the band's pregame show. During the "strut" the section separates from the rest of the band, circles the North goal post, and rejoins the band to complete the Script Cal. The University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band sousaphones play John Williams' "Imperial March" from Star Wars in single file when crossing streets on their way to and from performances on the USC campus. When The Ohio State University Marching Band performs its traditional Script Ohio formation, a senior sousaphone player dots the "i".

Sousaphones being played by marching band at Freedom Festival 2011

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band sousaphone section (called "Bass Horns" within the university but never, ever "tubas") execute a distinct two-step and four-step counter-march during marching performances. During halftime performances this is accompanied (specifically for the last rank consisting all of 12 bass horns) by a "huh! huh!" from the crowd.

Painted bells of sousaphones from the Virginia Pep Band

The University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band has several traditions involving sousaphone players. During pre-game, they branch off from the rest of the band. From here, the sousaphone players run in a snake around the field jumping to drum line cadence. At most pre-games they act out a skit as well. At post game, "In My Life" by The Beatles is played featuring a sousaphone solo while the band sings.

After every pre-game show at Florida State University when the section (known by all the marching band members as "Flush"- short for "Royal Flush") run in a circle, with their horns tipped up parallel to the ground, around the Seminole head on the field with the head drum major in the center of the circle. This is called "Flushing the field" or "Flushing the Indian Head", derived from the sections nickname "Flush".

The Marching Virginians of Virginia Tech perform a version of the Hokie Pokie featuring the sousaphone section putting their sousaphones in, taking their sousaphones out, putting their sousaphones in, and shaking them all about – followed by an all-sousaphone kick line.

The University of Toledo Sousaphone line (also called The RMB Dosbas) march off the field in a snake line after home games and performs the song "sonic boom" when the rest of the band meets back with them.

Genres and notable players

"Jazz Funeral for Democracy" event in New Orleans

The sousaphone is an important fixture of the New Orleans brass band tradition and is still used in groups such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band by Kirk Joseph. Soul Rebels Brass Band from New Orleans features sousaphone player Edward Lee, Jr.

Sinaloa, a state of Mexico, has a type of music called Banda Sinaloense, and the sousaphone is used there as a tuba.

Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson from The Roots plays the sousaphone on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Nat Mcintosh is the sousaphone player and co-founder of Youngblood Brass Band, who play a mixture of traditional New Orleans style brass band music and hip hop.

The Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a Canadian self-described "Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Punk-Super-Party-Band," features a sousaphone as one of their instruments.

Red Baraat, a Brooklyn-based dhol & brass band that fuses North Indian Bhangra with hip-hop, go-go, and jazz music, features John Altieri on sousaphone.

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, was a sousaphone player who played well enough to join the band celebrating his election.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Bierley, Paul E. John Philip Sousa: American Phenomenon. Alfred Music, 2001. ISBN 978-0757906121
• Bierley, Paul E. The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa. University of Illinois Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0252031472
• Phillips, Harvey, and William Winkle. The Art of Tuba and Euphonium Playing. Alfred Music, 1994. ISBN 978-0874876826.

External links

All links retrieved February 20, 2024.

• Virginia Tech Music Dictionary: Sousaphone
• Sousaphone History, by Ian Church: Sousaphone-ologist
• J.W. Pepper and the Birth of the Sousaphone The J.W. Pepper Blog.
• How to Play the Sousaphone: Step by Step Guide Brass 'n Wind.

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