UNITUBA Weblog

Perhaps some of you are already familiar with the Mexican Banda Music,  but I suspect that many of you are not.  Banda is a traditional Brass-based music from Mexico which has enjoyed increased popularity since the mid-90s. 

Of particular interest to us is the dominance of tuba (or more correctly, sousaphone) as the very active bass line.  Among the best known bands in this genre are Banda el Recodo and El Coyote.

Today on a trip to Postville, Iowa – a community which has witnessed a rapid increase of population from vastly diverse communities ranging from Hassidic Jews to Guatamalan and Mexican – I found a really interesting and entertaining new CD from Chuy Chavez.  This is a really fabulous example of the Banda style and features some outstanding tuba playing.

Make an opportunity to experience this music!  It is vibrant, lively and full of ‘spice’.  As a tubist, it shows the real possibilities for the instrument to enter the more popular genres AND display incredible virtuosity.

You really should CHECK THIS OUT!

Jeff Funderburk

Posted by Jeff Funderburk at 10:07 PM | Permalink

Some weeks back at the Iowa Tuba and Euphonium Conference, I picked up a book of warm-up exercises which caught my eye because it included a cd with Gene Pokorny performing the exercises.  The book is simply entitled, “20 Minute Warm-up Routine” and is by Michael Davis.

There are 15 excercises in the book that take a variety of approaches to covering the overall range of the horn with a variety of articulations.  These exercises are challenging and give one a very extensive warm-up if all are played through without break for the 20 minutes that they take.

What sets these exercises apart from other warm-up routines is the inclusion of the CD.  The CD contains synthesizer based accompaniments for each of the exercises which help one keep time as well as work on pitch while performing.  The CD contains 30 tracks.  Tracks 1–15 have the accompaniment as well as having Gene Pokorny playing the exercises.  Tracks 16–30 offer the accompaniment without the tuba part.

For those looking for a way to keep on top of the horn through the summer, I highly recommend looking at this set of excercises.  Warming up with Gene each day isn’t the worst thing you could do!

Jeff Funderburk

Posted by Jeff Funderburk at 3:40 PM | Permalink

Rapping up the school year, we had a fun afternoon in a local park.  Thursday afternoon (May 3) after exams were done, it was time for brats!

It was a busy semester for everyone in the studio, so a little down time was really needed. 

We say goodbye to one UNITUBA member as senior euphoniumist Keya John graduates and heads back east to the DC area. 
Keya has been a great member of the studio and will be missed by all!

  Following the eating, the guys just couldn’t resist the playground.  Amazingly, everything is still standing!

Posted by Jeff Funderburk at 3:25 PM | Permalink