Posted by Edward Gibbons on April 29, 2003 at 20:36:57:
In Reply to: suggested guidelines posted by perfess'r on April 29, 2003 at 12:55:59:
Some of the recent postings merely reflect the decline of our civilization, one of the symptoms of which has been the disappearance of politeness.
Granted, many of the offenders are young whelps. Why should that be an excuse? It is not.
The general lack of respect that is shown for another's choice or preference in a tuba no doubt stems from a lack of understanding of the value of money. When one has a $7000 tuba, which cost more than many of us paid for our first new automobile, purchased by his or her parents, (who probably went into hock to provide little Jimmy or little Suzie or little HSTubameister with a horn fit only for the gods,)why should that young stripling respect those of us who have a less desirable tuba?
Those who have not had to work for their possessions can only leer and scoff at those of us who have rescued an old horn, given it new life, and learned how to work around and live with its deficiencies.
And how many of us old geezers have had to sit next to a tubapup in band rehearsal, listening to said young pup demonstrate his/her skill at generating flatulent sounds and "skill" at improvising electric bass lines on his/her tuba? (Or worse yet, during the concert?)
This lack of respect for others and also for the art will lead to the demise not only of the band movement (already in decline for at least 50 years) but that of civilization.