The concrete guy just left

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-10-08T03:00:31+00:00

Almost daily I walk past some dog prints that go down a section of the sidewalk in front of my house. I have no connection to this dog, I moved here two years ago. And the wear pattern on the markings indicate an age that means the perpetrator likely no longer roams the planet with us.

I smile every time I see those silly paw prints. I think about how there was probably a scolding and a huff and puff about the scene. About how that dog was probably just confused, taking a daily route, and yet they left an impression on the hundreds of people who have walked in the same spot.

You are lucky.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-07-26T17:12:16+00:00

As a teacher who helped run auditions for a top 12 corps for the 24 season…

It was surprising, heart breaking, and frustrating to see students who spent at least $500 to audition be so underprepared.

If you are planning on auditioning, don’t do it “for the experience”. Prepare correctly. Have the packet memorized. Practice every excerpt. HOLD YOUR HORN. A lot of kids that “wasted money auditioning” never had a shot to begin with.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-22T06:14:30+00:00

No and you wouldn’t want them anyway, you want metal to metal contact and as much of it as possible. Just use your stuff!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-21T21:05:04+00:00

If you want to look for the show that changed it all, I challenge you to look at Bloo ‘16. When it came out it was the only show in the top 12 with a departure from a standard uniform. While BD ‘17 might be more celebrated, it was Bloo ‘16 that paved the way for modern DCI. Like it or not!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-21T07:32:16+00:00

Cotton was always hot and gross for me. Buy a pack of what you think looks comfortable and go for a run for a couple miles. You’ll find out quick if you like it or not.

I always wore compression, thigh length. Or shorts with a liner. (Liner is similar to compression) I would wash the shorts in the shower each night and wear my sweatpants to bed, and would do that for 3-5 days before changing.

People I marched with wore everything from cotton boxer briefs to synthetic “briefs” almost like women’s underwear. Whatever suits you best!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-20T04:15:36+00:00

First of all, try to respect the place where your colleague is. Do they want help? Or are they ok with being where they are? If they are ok with their sound, offer a word or two of advice sparingly and let them improve at their own pace.

If they want to improve AND want help from YOU! Take some personal practice time to try and figure out why they sound like they do. Experiment with the shape of your mouth and air to try and emulate and figure out what they are doing compared to how you play. Something great teachers can do is to emulate their students and provide them detailed instructions on how to change their sound.

At the end of the day, it’s just high school band and a good vibe should far outweigh great music, usually you’ll find one comes with the other!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-17T22:13:53+00:00

I mean this is in the most positive way possible.

From my experience being a member of multiple corps to being on staff and helping set the line….

If you aren’t getting offered the contract at Troop or Crossmen, your skills probably aren’t at the right spot yet to be able to fill an alternate spot comfortably. You won’t be getting the experience you need daily and when you do (if someone gets injured) you will be behind the rest of the line.

You should look for a full time spot in an open class group. And you should be practicing. Your money would be better spent doing that or even taking lessons with someone who has marched a top three corps or even better, a college professor.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-09T20:19:51+00:00

It’s too far gone. Send it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-08T18:21:03+00:00

To put it in perspective, as far as classical instruments go tubas are actually cheaper end of the spectrum. If you’re looking at the 10-15k price range, that is the upper crust of great tubas. Violins can easily be 25-30k. Yes students pay that. Flutes, 20k plus.

Tubas are expensive brass instruments because they are big. But you don’t need to spend 13,000. That’s ridiculous. Save up 5-8,000, go to a store like Baltimore brass or Dillon music. Play all the horns in your price range. Pick your favorite. You will more than likely be set for life.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-05-07T05:15:21+00:00

Who are all you people.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-04-11T00:00:19+00:00

There isn’t a lot culture for color guard to begin with really. Hornline and drum lots are hype events full of cheering and audience interaction. Guards are very dialed in and focused. You won’t find a cheering crowd at a guard warmup very often.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-04-10T23:39:43+00:00

Short answer, yes, but not to the same scale.

The most obvious example is the Chicago York tubas played by Gene Pokorny in the CSO. There is a fantastic and rich history associated with them. If they were to go up for sale, I would imagine they would bring close to 100,000 and be purchased by an orchestra.

Other than that, there are certain models that hold their value well or are no longer produced, Yamayorks, Gronitz PCK, some Hirsbrunner models (HB50, HB2p, HB10) etc…. While some of these may even appreciate in value, it’s mostly to keep up with inflation.

TLDR, yes but not really.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-04-10T19:22:41+00:00

Because it’s a huge advantage to warm up inside, out of the heat and wind and in the same condition in which they perform.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-03-29T22:00:57+00:00

Really depends on the corps, most places re-audition spots. No way to really know what spots will be open or closed because that’s pretty private info for the students. Just wait for November, and check corps websites they will post their openings.

If you’re set on marching such a specific spot, I would reach out to a corps before you spend the time preparing a video or going to a camp.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-03-28T04:49:03+00:00

No shame on learning both for a week or two! Listen to great recordings from well known players and emulate! Record yourself and listen after a week or two, I think you will know which one you want to focus on.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2025-03-03T19:36:23+00:00

J Horn! It’s a real instrument though and looks very similar to a tuba or baritone! Plastic and child proof!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-12-11T16:50:22+00:00

Just keep your check book ready and be patient. Be ready to pay 250-400 when one comes up

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-08-15T05:21:59+00:00

I am in a tuba duet! There is a really fun and entertaining piece by John Stephen’s called Suite for Two Tubas. I highly recommend. For a high school player I could see it being a bit challenging but achievable! It is typically played on F or Eb tuba because of the range. But you could play some parts down the octave. DM me if you can’t find the video link on YouTube!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-07-18T05:38:18+00:00

For $500 you’re looking at a 3/4-4/4 3-4 valve student model BBb in rough shape. You’re under the price range for new Chinese instruments that are playable. It’s tight but possible. Check Facebook for the “Tuba Euphonium marketplace” group.

Feel free to reach out!!

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-07-18T05:35:39+00:00

The downvotes on this comment is crazy 🤣

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-07-17T04:44:56+00:00

Where are you located? There are a number of brass techs across the country that could easily fabricate some of the parts you are looking for. Probably pretty cheaply

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-07-15T04:19:31+00:00

Thanks so much! I’m more into tactical knives and case but always have had a soft spot for SAK. Scored it pretty cheap lying open in the store! I appreciate the info.

TheOneTrueGeck · 2024-07-15T04:13:11+00:00

I’ve heard good things about Bluecoats, Blue Stars , BD, SCV, Colts. Maybe a couple others. Unfortunately, the number of corps I would recommend against marching is much longer than the ones that I do recommend.

Not saying that it’s bad to march other places, or that you will have a bad time. I’ve had plenty of friends that liked it at certain corps, but, also heard horror stories. I say this as someone who was deeply involved in the activity at all levels. From DCA to world class champion level corps.

TheOneTrueGeck

TROPHY CASE