On Top of Old Smokey

[Schlepporello]

Well, I was in Woodland Park, CO a couple of weeks back getting my youngest nephew married off (I got to be the holder of the shotgun). While there, On top of seeing the sights, I shot ColoNavy a couple of PM's and did a little sight seeing. This of course involved seing a few of our favorite sights, primarily the summitt of Pike's Peak. We drove the Dodge up to the top. It was arond 9:00 AM up there when we pulled in. The air temp was 34 degrees according to my truck's computer. The chill index was 19. Nice, brisk wind blowing out of the south. We did our usual lookin' around the top, snappin' pictures as we went. Then we came back around to the sign by the summitt house, the one with the name of the mountain and the elevation. Now everyone has their picture taken in front of the sign, it's expected. I remembered that I just happened to have one of my tubas in the back of the truck, momma had the camera. I also happened to have a Kelly mouthpiece in the horn, it's made of Lexan, that means it won't stick to moist lips in freezing temps. So I grabbed the horn and hollered at the wife and this is the result.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2072455.jpg

[StarFan]

Well, I was in Woodland Park, CO a couple of weeks back getting my youngest nephew married off (I got to be the holder of the shotgun). While there, On top of seeing the sights, I shot ColoNavy a couple of PM's and did a little sight seeing. This of course involved seing a few of our favorite sights, primarily the summitt of Pike's Peak. We drove the Dodge up to the top. It was arond 9:00 AM up there when we pulled in. The air temp was 34 degrees according to my truck's computer. The chill index was 19. Nice, brisk wind blowing out of the south. We did our usual lookin' around the top, snappin' pictures as we went. Then we came back around to the sign by the summitt house, the one with the name of the mountain and the elevation. Now everyone has their picture taken in front of the sign, it's expected. I remembered that I just happened to have one of my tubas in the back of the truck, momma had the camera. I also happened to have a Kelly mouthpiece in the horn, it's made of Lexan, that means it won't stick to moist lips in freezing temps. So I grabbed the horn and hollered at the wife and this is the result.

 

Interesting.

What brand is the horn? I collect vintage woodwind instruments but still have not found an ancient enough tuba. Will find it next time I go to Paris France. Do you collect or just play?

[Schlepporello]

That's not an old horn, it's a Yamaha YBB-103. It's pitched in B-flat and is actually a student level instrument. I like it because it's so small (for a tuba) and easy to play in a pinch. I have a horn here at the house that I figure was built around 1925. It was made by the H.B. Jay Co. under the name "Columbia". It's pitched in E-flat and is a variety referred to as a Helicon. The Helicon is the predecessor to the Sousaphone.

http://i37.tinypic.com/ra831v.png

 

And yes, I currently play. I play in our sanctuary orchestra at my church and I also play in our local community band, of which I am also the personnel manager.