Are you going to have a hand free to hold the music? For some sousaphone players the answer is yes, but for tuba players, the answer is often no.
Unless a friend is doing music-holding duties, you might want to consider a lyre.
Here's a brief lyre checklist to help you make sure that you're covered:
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Do you have a lyre?
If not, you might consider buying a "baritone lyre" from a music store, or else try making your own from rods, clothespins, etc. Does your horn have a lyre holder attached to it? Does your lyre holder have a set screw? Does your lyre position the music where you can read it? Can your lyre support the weight of a marching band flip-folder (e.g., a DEG/Cross HC-200)?
(about the same weight as a thin paperback book) And if you're borrowing a horn, do you know its lyre/lyre-holder situation?
As always, other ideas and suggestions are most welcome!
xmas@tuba.to
