Posted by Steve Marcus on September 02, 2002 at 11:31:05:
In Reply to: Re: tips on wearing a sousaphone posted by Kenneth Sloan on September 02, 2002 at 11:14:47:
You asked: "if you assemble it 'correctly' and lay it on the floor - does the bell rim touch the floor?"
Although you might use this method for gauging the positioning of the bell in relation to the rest of the body of the horn, you might be asking for trouble regarding the longevity of the sousaphone. If students are shown that the proper resting/storage position of a sousaphone is with the bell flush with the floor, you're destined for constant replacement/repair of bent crooks, goosenecks, etc. Students should be taught that the proper way to lay a sousaphone on the ground is on the main body of the horn with the rim of the bell perpendicular to the ground.
Ken, you probably already considered this as common sense. But since you're teaching the basic tips of managing and carrying a sousaphone, it may be a good point to include in your 10-minute presentation. Good luck.