Get acquainted with Bear Bass with our terminology:
Balls - A word used to describe any note with very desireable tone and resonance. (i.e. "That Bb had some balls!")
Hell - Exactly the opposite of "balls." (i.e. "That D sounded like hell.")
C/T - Con testes, or 'wit sum balls.' The way every note should sound.
Axe - Our musical weapons, the Conn 20K Sousaphone. With the exception of Laura's horn, the bitty King model. "Allright everyone, go grab your axes..."
Alpha - The first half of Bear Bass as listed in marching order (see Drill Order).
Omega - The second half of Bear Bass as listed in marching order.
Drill Order - The order by which Bear Bass lines up on the marching field, as given by the trusty band director.
Blat - The undesireable response from a tuba when too much air is thrusted into it too swiftly, without a properly set embochure. Often compared to truck horns. "Stop blatting. It sounds like hell.")
Train Wreck - When the section is out of tune. "That F# was a train wreck."
Skew - The situation which occurs when a sousaphone bell is not properly aligned so that it's sound AND light reflection/projection is aimed in any direction but forward. "Dude, you're skewing, fix your bell."
TUBA means... - The Ultimate Bad A$$.
Stands Flashes
All stands flashes are done with Alphas standing in front and Omegas standing in back, two rows behind the Alphas.
The Weave - Alphas dip forward, Omegas lean backward. Then Alphas lean backward and Omegas lean forward. All motions occur on counts one (1) and three (3) of any percussion chant. Be sure not to take anyone's bell off with yours.
Alternate - Same thing as the weave but the motions are from right to left, with Alpha and Omega going opposite each other.
Vogue - Strike a random pose at the beginning of each measure of a percussion chant or the opposing band's music. People love this garb.
Big Swing - Unison left - right radial motion covering 180 degrees. Easiest one we have.
March-In Flashes
All march-in flashes are done with the section in ranks of four, front to back.
Chicken Walk - Count one - take a double step with the left foot and heave the bell up and to the left. Count two - bring the bell back in a swingin motion. Count three - double step with the right foot, heave the bell up and to the right. Count four - Bring the bell back in a swinging motion. Repeat as desired.
Bunny-Hop - Hop four times (once on each of four counts) with legs at shoulder-width and body arched way back, accent each landing with a slight dip of the bell.
Whip-It - Simply a forward-moving four-count drag turn of 360 degrees.
Big Dip - High step for four counts. Then, still high stepping: count one - dip the bell way down and to the right a little. Count two - bring the bell back up. Count three - dip the bell back down like you did on count one. Count four - bring the bell back up. Exaggerate each dip. Then high step four more counts.
- Top 100 reasons to play tuba