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Re: Transition for Marching Band

Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2008-09-06 22:47

Bassonnists marched in marching bands from the early years of the instrument to relatively recently. The infamous Berglaseri bands of the Italian Army (which march and play at the double time (a slow jog) even hand them prior to World War II.

However, with the penetration of the saxophone and the slow decline of military marching bands (every regiment once had one; now they are quite a bit more rare), the bassoon slipped from sight in the marching world. Not having a penetrating tone didn't help things either.

My son was in much the same position as your child. He was (and is) an excellent bassoonist who moved into high school and was told that he needed to a) switch to another instrument for half of the year, and b) attend some six weeks of band camp prior to the school year.

While the first may have killed the deal, the second slit its throat and gutted it down the middle, as he had three weeks of hockey camp up in Quebec City already bought and paid for before learning all of this. So much for band. (He still plays bassoon and sax when he has the time, which is not often these days.)

In short, marching band sucks, and it really sucks for bassoonists. You may be a team player by hefting a bell lyre for twelve weeks, but it doesn't do much for your musical ability.

leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com

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