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<p>The sousaphone is a valved <a href="https://www.xuqiumusic.com/brass-instruments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>brass instrument </strong></a>with the same tube length and musical range as other tubas.</p><p><br></p><p>The sousaphone's shape is such that the bell is above the tubist's head and projecting forward. The valves are situated directly in front of the musician slightly above the waist and all of the weight rests on the left shoulder. The bell is normally detachable from the instrument body to facilitate transportation and storage. Except for the instrument's general shape and appearance, the sousaphone is technically similar to a tuba.</p><p><br></p><p>Most <a href="https://www.xuqiumusic.com/sousaphone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>modern sousaphones</strong></a> are made in the key of BB♭; many older sousaphones were pitched in the key of E♭, but current production of sousaphones in that key is limited nowadays. Although sousaphones may have a more restricted range than their concert tuba counterpart, generally they can all play the same music and usually have parts written in the bass clef.</p><p><br></p><p>Early sousaphones had 22-inch-diameter (560 mm) bells, with 24-inch (610 mm) bells popular in the 1920s. From the mid-1930s onward, sousaphone bells have been standardized at a diameter of 26 inches (660 mm).</p><p><br></p><p>The sousaphone is an important fixture of the New Orleans brass band tradition and is still used in groups such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band by Kirk Joseph.</p><p><br></p><p>The JP2057 Sousaphone is the perfect instrument for the field. It fits incredibly well within any marching band, Trad Jazz band or even an early big band. With complete ease, the sousaphone can turn from a mellow <strong>sousaphone brass instrument</strong>, to a roaring forward facing monster, suitable to blast any bass line that is needed.</p><p><br></p><p>This instrument sousaphone features a large .687" bore, and alongside the 26" forward facing bell, it offers a rich, resonant tone with excellent projection and volume. The JP2057 Sousaphone also has very quick responsive valves and is perfectly weighted and shaped to allow a comfortable playing position. The leadpipe is detachable, and is assembled from 3 separate parts, allowing the player to choose the most comfortable mouthpiece position.</p><p><br></p><p>The JP2057 Sousaphone is supplied with a high quality, protective hard case, with plenty or firm padded blocks to ensure that the instruments remains secure in the case. It also comes with a mouthpiece and a basic maintenance kit containing valve oil and tuning slide grease.</p><p><br></p><p>A contra is usually a bit brighter and more directional.</p><p><br></p><p>The biggest contra put on a field is around the size of a 5/4 tuba in terms of bows and bell throat.</p><p><br></p><p>The biggest sousaphones ever made are bigger than the still-made Conn 20k and the 20k is nearly identical to a York 6/4 copy through the branches and bell throat.</p><p><br></p><p>The sousaphone also terminates in a larger bell flare which allows the sound to radiate a bit more omnidirectional than the contra.</p><p><br></p><p>There are those acoustic differences and they do matter. For a drum and bugle corps, the contra works better simply because the overall sound concept is far more homogeneous. In a regular marching band, where woodwinds and such are involved, the sousaphone with it’s different tonal structure may work better.</p><p><br></p><p>For long term playing comfort, the sousaphone does have a decidedly huge advantage. A significant amount of the mass is moved closer to the player’s center of mass, and the player doesn’t have to use their arms to hold the instrument in place. For that reason, it’s very popular as the choice of bass voice for street musicians and is why it is still widely used in NOLA and became popular in Banda style music from Mexico and Central America.</p>
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