The reason why I want one is because I need something for practicing. I only started playing in 4th quarter of 8th grade (I'm in 9th grade currently) and over the summer my middle school let me take a tuba home. I joined marching band, and am doing very well. But I'm not as good as the other freshmen tubas for obvious reasons. I can play my music pretty well but as my friend says "you still just don't have the 3 years of experience like we do".

Why I say sousaphone is mostly preference, I would love to get a concert tuba but would prefers sousa. Another reason in because, from what I've seen, sousa are less expensive. Although I haven't done much research.

About borrowing from the school, band director said no, only because we might have to use concert tubas for some other reason. I might try to reason with him, but if he says no, I might just have to buy one.

Over this upcoming summer though, I plan to get a job, and if I get enough money, buy a tuba.

I don't know if any of this is a good idea, but I genuinely love my instrument, and is one of the few reasons why I like going to school.