INTERESTING INSTRUMENTS: Sousaphone

Today's instrument: the 

Sousaphone

Sousa-what?! 

Sousaphone

Contrary to what you might think, Dr. Seuss did NOT create this instrument. If he did, no doubt it would be spelled SEUSSaphone and be a pretty wacky looking instrument, having 4 or 5 bells of the instrument going every which way and featuring a super fun character playing it. (He would probably also write some snazzy lyrics to go with the music, containing the rhymiest of rhymes, naturally). AM I RIGHT or AM I RIGHT?

 Did you not think that...? Oh.....

I BET YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT NOW. And to you I would say, nay nay!

For starters, let me tell you what a sousaphone is:

the sousaphone is a type of tuba that contains a large, flared adjustable bell, pictured below. 

sousaphone

The pretty little thing shown above is a brass sousaphone. It is one of the lowest brass instruments. To the plain eye, it looks just like a tuba. Well, technically it IS a tuba, but there is a difference. And a fairly obvious physical difference when one sees them side by side. 

Let's clarify:

tuba

A tuba is a brass instrument that contains 3-6 brass  valves and a broad bell (the bell being the large opening of the instrument) typically facing UPWARDS. . 

FUN FACT: it is the BIGGEST instrument in the brass family as well as the LOWEST; and it plays in the bass pitch. It is also one of the LOUDEST, if featured in an orchestra. WOW, what can't this baby do?! 

sousaphone

Let's talk about the sousaphone one more time, a little more in depth:

A sousaphone is, as mentioned, a type of tuba, with their wide bell pointing FORWARD, above the player's head. It is said that the sousaphone is easier to play whilst standing, which is why you'll see this bad boy being played in marching bands.

FUN FACT: this instrument was named after composer and bandmaster John Philip Sousa (see, NOT Dr. Seuss). Pictured BELOW↙:

John Philip Sousa

The handsome devil pictured above ↑ was an AMERICAN-BORN composer. He was born in Washington D.C. in 1854 and died in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1932. I know what you're thinking... WHY does this man's name sound SO familiar?? Well, this guy wrote a little song called Stars and Stripes Forever, maybe you've heard of it! Not only did he write this super iconic and super American song, he also fought for our country! #RESPECT 

(Cue Aretha Franklin!)

Anyway, now you know the difference and a little more about the sousaphone (which you may not have actually known was the sousaphone)! So similar, but oh so different! 

BUT, GET THIS, the tuba was named after a man called John Tuba... can someone say COINCIDENCE?

Just kidding, we have Sir Wilhelm Friedrich Wieprecht and Sir Johann Gottfriend Moritz to thank for that instrument! Thanks, gents!

Next tie you're at a football game or an event with a marching band, keep an eye out for the sousaphone! Impress you friends with these awesome FUN FACTS!

Who doesn't love a good fun fact, or two, or three?

You're welcome.

The more you know!!

Fun facts about Tuba vs. Sousaphone courtesy of:

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-tuba-and-vs-sousaphone/

(how convenient!)

#MyPhil #MichiganPhil #MichiganPhilharmonic #music #classicalmusic #musichistory #sousa #funfact #instrument #justdiscovered #themoreyouknow #getyourphil #classical #musician

Composer Fun Facts!

If you LOVE music and you LOVE fun facts, you have arrived at just the right place! 
Enjoy these fun facts about some of the world's favorite composers!! 
Plus, who doesn't love a good fun fact, am I right? 

*Each composer name has a link! As you read, listen to these composers! You may recognize a few of the pieces!

Gioachino Rossini

1.) Gioachino Rossini wrote the aria Di tanti palpiti while waiting for his risotto to finish cooking in a restaurant in Venice, Italy. Just for the record, it takes between 12 and 17 minutes for a chef to create an entree from the time it is ordered. This means that it took Rossini to compose most, if not all, of this piece in that time period. When you got it, you got it! 

Orlande de Lassus

2.) Orlande de Lassus was a Franco-Flemish composer who was born in 1532 and died in 1594. He was a Renaissance composer who wrote many classical-style and choral pieces. Besides being a talented musician, de Lassus actually had a beautiful singing voice. So beautiful, that as a child, he was kidnapped several times so others could profit off him! Oh, the Renaissance era!

Franz Liszt

3.) Hungarian-born pianist and composer Franz Liszt was born in 1811 and died in 1886. He began his career as a Romantic (the era....though some, especially ladies, thought he and his music were oh so dreamy) composer in 1822 at the age of 11. Throughout the rest of his career, he became so well-known (and, as mentioned, popular among the ladies), that many people would often ask him for locks of hair. When the demands got out of control, he got a dog and sent out the dog's fur instead. 

Liszt 1, Public 0.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

4.) The oh so well-known Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is an Austrian composer who remains one of the most prolific, versatile, and popular composers of all time! So much so, that Salzburg confectioner Paul Furst created and named the infamous Mozartkugal after him in 1890! It is sold worldwide, but remains Austria's #1 chocolate sold to this day. This is technically not about Mozart's career, but do YOU have chocolate named after you?! #funfact

Havergal Brian

5.) Have you ever heard of Havergal Brian? He is a British composer who was very prolific himself, creating 32 symphonies, many of which were long and needed many people to perform it. How many people do you think that means? Try in the ballpark of about 800 people. Havergal Brian's Symphony No. 1: the Gothic, requires 800 people to perform it! Calling ALL musicians for this one!

Domenico Scarlatti

6.) Hey cat-lovers! Looking for something fun to do with your furry little friend? Look no more! Be like Italian Composer Domenico Scarlatti and create music! (or just be inspired). Scarlatti's Cat Fugue was inspired by his feline friend, Pulcinella, walking across his keys! It could have very well been an accident, but it could have also been on purpose (we don't know)! Where do you get your inspiration from? Look in unusual places....or at your cat!

Joseph Haydn

7.)We have talked about Mozart, but when one mentions Mozart, one must mention Austrian composer, Joseph Haydn. They are both famous in their own right, both composing some of the greatest pieces of all time. But, did you know they were friends?! I am talking the best of friends! They were definitely meant to be friends, as they both LOVED to joke around and fill a room with laughter. Not to mention they would get together quite frequently for jam-seshes on their violins and violas. Can you say two-of-a-kind?

Jean Baptiste-Lully

8.) Jean Baptiste-Lully was a Baroque composer who, like so many others, often got lost in his music. While off in his musical wonderland, Lully often kept time by hitting his long, sharp-ended staff against the ground. Well, one time he missed the ground and hit something else.. Yep, the sharp staff hit him right in the foot! He refused to get his foot amputated and contracted gangrene. Words of advise: Get lost in the music, let it take you away, but DO NOT use a sharp staff to keep time! On a side note, he also finished the performance before getting it looked at; what a trooper!

Antonio Vivaldi

9.) Baroque violinist and  composer Antonio Vivaldi became a priest at age 25. Although he was ordained a priest, he decided to follow his passion: music. Vivaldi composed hundreds of works and became a high influence in musical form and pattern.You go Antonio!! OH, one more thing: He was eventually nicknamed "The Red Priest," because he was (1) a red-head and (2) a priest. People are so clever!

Felix Mendelssohn

10.) Oh, you don't know Felix Mendelssohn? Have you ever heard of a little play called Midsummer Night's Dream? Yes, Mr. William Shakespeare wrote the play itself, but our dear Mr. Mendelssohn wrote the music for it.....not once, but twice! Twice? What? Yep, twice! Once upon a time, Mendelssohn's friend, Thomas Attwood, lost the original Overture manuscript for Midsummer Night's Dream. It was the ONLY copy. Oh, but no worries! Instead of freaking out, Mendelssohn just rewrote the entire piece from memory. The two also remained friends. What a guy! We all need a friend like Mendelssohn!






The more you know!

Fun Facts courtesy of:
https://www.pianotv.net/2016/12/17-interesting-facts-classical-composers/
&

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/latest/incredible-facts/cat-piano/