Chapter 1
Heavy metal physics
Chapter 2
The birth of a brass giant
Chapter 3
Global cousins and band leaders
Chapter 4
Orchestral power and famous solos
YOUR GOAL
Master of The heavy metal magic of the tuba
Ch 3 · Global cousins and band leaders
maestro Global Tuba Cousins
Sousaphone leads the march, Cimbasso rules the pit, Helicon wraps around!
maestro Colorful illustrations display tuba valves, orchestral seating, and New Orleans street band musicians
Fun Fact
Rain catcher: The earliest marching sousaphones had bells pointing straight up, which earned them the nickname rain-catchers before the design changed.
Glossary
sousaphone (noun)
A large brass wind instrument with a forward-facing bell, designed to wrap around the player's body for marching. John Philip Sousa commissioned this instrument in 1893 to project sound over his touring concert band.
A large brass wind instrument with a forward-facing bell, designed to wrap around the player's body for marching. John Philip Sousa commissioned this instrument in 1893 to project sound over his touring concert band.
Quiz
What is the main physical design difference between a marching sousaphone and a standard concert tuba?
Quiz
In which American city did street brass bands first combine military brass with syncopated jazz rhythms?
Quiz
Which smaller cousin of the tuba is pitched one octave higher and known for its sweet, tenor voice?
Quiz
Which musical genre from northwestern Mexico features the sousaphone playing rapid, energetic basslines?
Quiz
What humorous nickname was given to early sousaphones because their bells pointed straight up?
Quiz
What circular, shoulder-mounted brass instrument is a popular predecessor to the sousaphone in Balkan brass bands?