<p>I play tuba in symphonic band. I have for the last two years. (And my sixth year in band as a whole.) This will be my third on tuba. This is also my first year marching, so I should be marching the sousa. The only problem with this is I’m a 5’ 3" female with very little muscle. I have to use an extra extender to reach my mouthpiece and I’m hardly close enough then. This year, because of my inability, I’ll be marching the baritone, much to my dismay. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice on how to “bulk up” and train for next marching season and how to strengthen the muscles needed to march a sousa? I’m not even sure where to start. I don’t do any sports anymore and don’t have much options in the way of equiptment.</p>
<p>Ha, I wish that was all that it takes!</p>
<p>Powerbars + vitaminwater + water + swimming (arm movements) = muscle ;-]</p>
<p>Ha…ok, now to get to the pool. </p>
<p>The outdoor one is about to close for the year and the indoor one is even a long drive, and I can’t drive. 
I’ll find a way though. :)</p>
<p>You can always lift weights, but I find that extremely annoying.</p>
<p>Marching band is to Athletic as Football is to whimpy.</p>
<p>Seriously, however, if you are not joking, I would say push-up are you best friends, and things like crunches to build your core also. However, I would say swimming and Volleyball would help alot with the muscels you are aiming at.</p>
<p>Not kidding. :)</p>
<p>I am seriously too whimpy to march the sousa. I know, shocking, I posted something serious. 
</p>
<p>I also posted this in the music section. (Watch it get deleated on this forum…:() </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice though. :)</p>
<p>Feel free to mock.</p>
<p>Lmao, you seriously have to work out for marching band?</p>
<p>You try marching the sousa. My goodness, my shoulder hurts so badly (remembering I’m 5’ 3").</p>
<p>Yeahhh. My friends complain of all the laps they have to run beforehand.</p>
<p>We don’t run laps (yet) but it really is challenging to walk in beat, breath into the instrument and make good sounding notes, with the right rhythem, come out. I have to do baritone though, due to that whole, I’m a whimp thing.</p>
<p>Tubachick, I am gonna have to take you up on that offer. </p>
<p>LOL, you are to weak to carry that little horn thing. I am looking at one right now. To give you credit, how much does it way and how big are you?</p>
<p>Oh, I see.</p>
<p>I used to play the flute. I’m 5’6" haha. </p>
<p>The only thing that really irritated me was the sheet music I had to prop up on my arm while marching. Memories…</p>
<p>I’m 5’ 3" and about 120 lbs. The baritone is easy to march with. Sousa on the other hand. Uhm, another story. </p>
<p>Honestly, I couldn’t tell you how much it weighs. I’m horrible at that.</p>
<p>^We have to memorize ours before we march it.</p>
<p>That’s better. Our teacher used to give us random sheet music before marching, so we didn’t have a chance to know it by heart.</p>
<p>Oh wow. We’re suppose to have it down by Wednesday. HA! Like that’s gong to happen.</p>
<p>Lol @ having to work out for marching band.</p>
<p>Sorry, I’m biased. I just don’t see it as that strenuous, especially compared to sports.</p>
<p>^ Amen. </p>
<p>Anyways, tubachick, you should be able to carry it. I mean, so are not tall, or fat, but you are not uber-skinny or uber-short, so I don’t see the problem. Go for the push-ups!</p>
<p>I can’t reach the mouthpiece decently. It kind of sucks. </p>
<p>I swear it’s more strenuous than it looks. I’ve done a few sports and they were just as challenging physically as marching band. I was whole heartily surprised at this. I was with you guys before I joined.</p>