Mini Sousaphone

Here we have a regretted purchase - a SAI Musical branded (well, the case is branded, the instrument isn't) sousaphone. This one is in Bb, but an octave higher than regular. It's tuning is abysmal, and this instrument has almost no redeeming features.
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[@bikkies]

I loved that concert E flat major minor diminished suspended augmented seventeen-and-a-quarterth scale.

[@eeshaanpp]

The instrument was made for small Indian men like me. They're actually extremely common in India and can be found at music shops for ~$300. They've got some weird instruments down in India!

[@TrentHamilton]

Do they all have tuning issues like this one?

[@eeshaanpp]

Trent Hamilton No 😁. But the Indian brass bands sure do sound bad regardless...

[@andymayeuxproductions]

Eeshaan Pirani जलाना :)

[@TrentHamilton]

***** Most of my instruments are cheap Chinese-made instruments.

[@hirokokueh3541]

so ... in an India brass band, they have Valved Trombone, Euph. , and Tenor Sousaphone, all in the same range, just ... why?

[@HughesEnterprises]

The most astute read the title.

[@Asimo44]

The F scale sounded like harmonic minor.

[@carlenger9707]

Ha! Yeah it does

[@TheGentleUncle]

More like a harmonic major.

[@danbytp]

Nick H Darn,they caught on!

[@nikomitrione]

The E scale sounded like a Saba scale. But yes. You are right and I agree... :3

[@xHadesStamps]

@@carlenger9707 Svensk means Swedish, right? Swedish for Swedish?

[@ruckanitepreacher5618]

Been enjoying your videos since discovering you. I am a 55 year old sax player from Arkansas U.S.A. Been playing for 44 yrs. but am just a hobbyist. I love your stuffy sense of humor as you hand out the assessments on these horns. You are the Simon Collwell of Brass instraments! Tough but fair. Keep up the good work and I look forward to watching your videos. Mark

[@jimjamthepizzaman2723]

You gotta love Trent's face of utter disgust at 5:40

[@charlesjohnson8031]

it sounds like a middle schooler playing Trombone

[@user-wt5dt4je8n]

Lol me too ...

[@literalantifaterrorist4673]

La Cinisi Famiglia I'm a middle school euphonist and I agree.

[@aftertheelectrike1847]

It sounds much worse. Trust me. I played euphonium in middle school (and still do in 10th grade) and this is much worse than the trombones I sat by.

[@user-wt5dt4je8n]

Why are you commenting here? You could have posted anywhere else, but here?

[@crystal3897]

I am a high school sousaphone player and I'm here to tell you that that is horrible. If someone sounded like that I would kick them out of my section for sure

[@Zmac-tq1pb]

So, here's my thoughts: -The air leaks could be that instrument in particular -It would fit me, being the 160-lb. 6-foot-tall person I am -I play the Marching Baritone already and have picked up a traditional sousaphone before, leading me to the conclusion that: I WANT IT.

[@cyborgjonny]

160 and 6ft, what's your problem?

[@Zmac-tq1pb]

Nahtanoj The guy in the video had a wider build, but with my more slender build, I could fit in it.

[@TrentHamilton]

+Zmac 9906 That doesn't stop the issues with the tuning and quality. It has some definite novelty value, but it has absolutely no musical value. It just doesn't play in tune.

[@G5xgajsjY793]

+Zmac 9906 I have bought a euphonium from that same maker and it was just as bad.

[@ninjalien1277]

Trent Hamilton where can I buy it ;)

[@palibakufun]

The second you played that middle Bb, I made the exact same face you did at the exact same time. For real, though, I would love to have a real tenor sousaphone. It's such a silly, cool idea.

[@robertoramos5399]

4:05 playing mini sousaphone

[@Lurker1979]

Only thing I could think to use it for is a prop for a theater production.

[@ninjalien1277]

Lurker1979 yep

[@godzillapowerpufffan8142]

I agree or a wall decoration to put up on a wall for looks

[@NathanDial]

It's tuned in a minor key, lol

[@sowirmango5572]

I would love this. I’m a baritone/euph player and i love the anatomy of a sousaphone

[@jessenelson8906]

Hi Trent, I enjoyed your quality sounds and teaching methods! Thank you...

[@1BBBbTenor]

If you look at Civil War Brass Band Instruments you will find that Eb Altos, Bb Tenors, Bb Basses (Baritones) and Eb Basses built for Cavalry Units all use the helicon look. Much easier to carry one on a horse if you can leave your handsfree. The smaller of these horns all had the extra tubing. They also did not have water keys, but that is before someone invented them. I will say that the ones we play they all do a better scale then your horn did here. I play a Bb Helicon Tenor manufactured during the war, but I also have played an Over-The-Shoulder Infantry horn in parades.

[@bobjacobson858]

Yesterday I heard someone playing one of these instruments, and the intonation was horrible. However, Sai Musicals also sells euphoniums (euphonia?) for US $287 with free shipping, and I purchased one of these a couple months ago. The intonation isn't perfect, but it's only the 2nd valve that's slightly flat. It has those hexagonal valve buttons, and the valves are 'clanky' and they also need to be oiled every few days as they get stuck quickly. Sai Musicals says not to use valve oil, and I sent an email asking what should be done instead but I've received no answer. There is a water key ('spit valve') but I had to get the hole in the tubing drilled at a hardware store because this had been overlooked in the manufacturing process. Overall, I'm happy with the instrument, enjoy playing it, and I've been told it was a good value for the money, but it wouldn't be suitable for a professional player. I recall seeing a review of this sousaphone provided by a buyer who didn't understand this wasn't a bass (or more precisely contrabass) instrument and felt 'cheated'.

[@reginaldcolejr2490]

We use it in our band it sound good when you play an euphonium part with it

[@lilbigrigw9904]

this horn would be called a sousaphonium because its in a tenor pitch like a euphonium

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

I just love your reaction to what should be the high Bb. That's an out-of-tune "face" if ever I saw one! :D

[@FanTrombone]

THANX FOR THE REVIEW!

[@danbytp]

This looks like a french horn from an auto accident.Looks like it would be fun to play.A pad on the top tube to protect your top shoulder part would be good.Cool looking.

[@mistalp1447]

LOL! I'm deaf to tuning and I can hear the out of rune higher register all too well

[@HaliPuppeh]

Omg that Eb scale is PAINFUL!

[@euphinism1]

I wonder if a couple of bits were added between the mouthpiece and the lead pipe, the intonation might be helped?

[@Rayxl1]

I've got one that looks similar to that but in white enamel. It gives good intonation and I used it this morning to lead the church congregation in song. The problem I do have is getting the condensation out. There's a drain tap on the lead pipe but no water comes out of this. The water seems to collect in the third tuning slide. Other that that its a nice instrument that gives a good powerful sound.

[@jimparfitt2330]

Thanks! i was thinking of buying one!

[@Rsb_chaka]

Happy new year people

[@icechocobo96]

Yes upload more!!!!

[@dabigwolf2009]

the baritone sousaphone lol?

[@joellevarner]

@Trent Hamilton do other brands of “mini sousaphones” exist, or is this the closest so far? That would be such a fun gift for a college marching band young tuba fan!

[@ruffeduprowlet4084]

I wish they had a tenor sousaphone that sounded good, I would totally buy one. :(

[@MrInitialMan]

So, Mr. Hamilton, which is worse: The Frumpet or this?

[@TrentHamilton]

This sousaphone was much worse

[@MrInitialMan]

What on earth would that be?

[@aftertheelectrike1847]

The Frumpet can still say it's ROUGHLY in tune. This cannot. This is much worse.

[@aftertheelectrike1847]

Contra_For_Life stop

[@anakin24444]

Contra_For_Life That already exists, it's called a contra

[@mangogod8664]

nice wrap-around marching baritone!

[@leetlefool7173]

That Sousaphone is the MINI SIZE!? It's still huge! Wow!

[@tewbaguy]

I almost bought one of these. Thanks for posting this. Won’t be getting one of those

[@Soundofpowermedia]

5:07 his face geeks me

[@heavybeatbrassband1686]

Can you get any decent makes of these size sousaphones? I WANT ONE

[@407kc9]

5:39 That face though 😂

[@stephencaine1548]

I've actually seen a mellophone in this shape...really mini sousaphone.

[@Red74pure]

I think I went to the SAI Musical website and I was instantly assailed by a blare at full volume that scared me to pieces and made me close the tab as soon as possible.

[@trombonesuicide2198]

I never actually thought I'd hear a sound worse than me playing my trombone

[@cinderellassober8265]

holly cow! lmao!, that high position, with your face!! *flops on floor dead from wheezing too hard*

[@Mithosphere]

The sousaphone you call "traditional" is not the original design as intended by Sousa. He disliked a bell-front bass and had an upright bell added to the helicon. That's the traditional design. What we see now is an abomination. Many sousaphones have four valves, in fact, Conn made during the 1970s or 80s, a four valve fiberglass 24K

[@spocksmusic]

I'm curious, is that piece of tubing for support hollow? and if so, has anyone ever tried to bridge air into it somehow - controlled by a thumb trigger or something like that? Sort of like the trigger extension on a bass trombone? I doubt it would be the right length to be in tune with 12TET, and the shape may not be right for a consistent tone but details, details...

[@TrentHamilton]

Michel Plourde yes, it is hollow, but it would be pointless to try and put air through it; it's not like an extra tuning loop.

[@spocksmusic]

Ah, thanks.

[@bgggeometry6082]

so it’s basically a sousaphone for a euphonium player

[@-roxy-9284]

5:49 I flinched at this scale and it’s tuning

[@mal2ksc]

India still produces saxophones and metal clarinets built to 19th century specifications as well. They are equally unplayable. Why do they do this? Nobody I've talked to seems to know, other than speculating that it's to sell cheap to tourists as souvenirs. I know that 's what $20 Mexican guitars are cobbled together for, they're intended to be hung on a wall and stared at, not played.

[@luizklaus4816]

Hi! And what about the LECHNER tenor euphonium?

[@ericfunderburgh6080]

I just noticed your Dennis Wick mutes. What do you think of them soundwise? I'm not a fan honestly. +trench Hamilton

[@seansutherland6270]

the contras my school has are 60 pounds I had to switch to baritone because I almost broke my back practicing with the contra

[@bubo8329]

That is a lie lol. You are most definitely over exaggerating the weight. The heaviest contra I have ever even heard of is the Jupiter Quantum which is about 25-30 pounds (depending on what you have on the horn). With a butt protector on it (adding about 5 extra pounds), I think it weighed in at 32 pounds while I was at drum corps.

[@seansutherland6270]

Carson Clay the old quantum we have is 49 pounds

[@bubo8329]

+Frozengames if it's a G Bugle the that's understandable but a modern Bb doesn't go that heavy

[@seansutherland6270]

Carson Clay we don't know how old it is so it's not that modern

[@imnotthatrandomkidd1947]

What model baritone is that, please answer ASAP

[@louismarlow53]

Have you ever considered getting another sousaphone of better quality?

[@jasonmartinez7667]

Where do you get all these uncommon instruments?

[@robertjacobs4091]

Do you order your musical instruments online or is there a store near you?

[@DanielSchnackenberg]

You've never played a 20 year old king Sousaphone have ya? Also, I don't know if they sell them separately from that particular instrument, but it seems that it's supposed to have bits like a regular Sousaphone.

[@generikadeyo]

is that thing tuned to like B flat minor or something?

[@ferchoaltamirano3458]

disculpa amigo adonde consigo una así me interesa mucho

[@stargirl9875]

I'm a low brass player myself, but the tuba is my main instrument. I've played the sousaphone in my high school years. So, that mini sousaphone (or tenor sousaphone in that matter) is definitely tuneless. I wonder how it can be fixed so it can sound a lot better in quality. The instrument itself is interesting, I've never seen a mini version of a sousaphone before, and I never knew it existed until now.

[@donaldcole626]

Any Sousaphone I ever played required 2 tuning bits in order to tune up. You can also adjust them to fit your face.Have you tried that?

[@thatoneguymccool1469]

If it’s a octave higher then a really susa then it’s literally a more comfortable marching baritone

[@emperorofgaming8146]

What is the website? I wanna see other garbage they have :D

[@Dreadballoon]

Where can I get one?

[@wilnywilliams1371]

Wow i just bout three of these garbage and couldn't find the use of them even for fun.. Can i use them as for sound like a Baritone?

[@juanarredondo3007]

If you want that mini sousaphone to sound like a real sousaphone just.put a big sousaphone mouthpiece on it ill try to make a video on how to put since the traditional tuba mouthpiece is bigger

[@TrentHamilton]

Juan Arredondo Um... No, that won't work.

[@savionmcglone]

+Trent Hamilton Wait, a regular tuba mouthpiece fits right? And where did you get that mini sousaphone?

[@greennetworkgreen8025]

Maybe due to the new design of the insurment the tuning is different for the notes meaning that it would have entirely different fingerings

[@mcfreak246]

give me the link to the website

[@ferchoaltamirano3458]

amigo adonde consigo una de esas en Bb

[@duckserenade]

Oh, wait a minute. I bought a valve trombone from those guys a few years ago. Same problems there; no spit valves, tuning slides did not move, the tuning was horrible, the valves were stiff and the whole thing was just awkward to hold... I'll have to agree. Avoid SAI.

[@deatherman1027]

hey Trent what if you put different saxophone mouthpiece and bassoon and one reeds on a mellophone, tenor cor, baritone, tuba, or trumpet

[@deatherman1027]

one is supposed to be oboe

[@jordangames5756]

We’re can u buy these

[@douglasfur3808]

Trent I corresponded with you on the trombone forum about a G bass trombone I'd bought. To close the loop on the story. I was packing it up to ship it to the party who had bought it I found a scrap of paper with the web site of an Indian export factor. Maybe hustler would be more accurate. An arranger of "Deals" between Indian manufacturers and off shore buyers (suckers). From some on line articles I read about Indian Brass Bands who play for wedding processions I think they were original market for horns such as these. In these traditional bands you have a core group of players to which hangers on are added. The status of the wedding is reflected in the size and visual appearance of the band so a semi-skilled player who can blat out a few notes from a pop song or Bollywood hit on a flashy "Sousaphone" of "KId sweeper" ads to the status of the sponsoring family. The quality of music the instrument can produce is not a design criteria. Glitz and low price are. DRB Seola Creek USA

[@wojtas200255]

Can you play this instrument or speak about only?

[@steamboat75043]

since its a cheap POS, what about hacking the valve slides to get the tuning straight? I have had some old horns that needed tuning slide chopped a bit to get to modern pitch.

[@thepeanutbutterarmy6]

Trent can you please put a link to the SAI Musical website?? I want to see how bad it is XD

[@francothesaxophonehooper6980]

I have two things two say 1 I love your KZbin vids and two what's better a sousaphone or a French horn

[@louissapherson3608]

4:05 - He did it again!

[@deviontaylor2105]

do you want to sell it

[@LansTaylor]

Is this a 16'' one?

[@Tools240]

You should get a Soprillo Sax! Top it all off! :D

[@impacthaze6652]

I am a current tuba & sousaphone player and I can say I want to own a mini sousaphone

[@connorbrozny1402]

If you want distance from the neck where the mouthpiece goes, then buy bits that regular sousaphones use. Easy fix

[@loganwillson1054]

How much do you want for it

[@pitygerba2808]

what king of mouthpiece it use? euphonioum or Tuba mouthpiece? thanks

[@TrentHamilton]

Lorl-Vyn Smaller - baritone/tenor trombone

[@kevinli8010]

Trent Hamilton You should try again with a sousaphone neck some tuning bits and a tuba mouthpiece.

[@theyellowentity9668]

The bell looks more like the expansion of the universe to me

[@vansaroukhanian1188]

can ANYONE provide a link to this instrument?!

[@northwind97]

why you can not buy it?

[@braydenhuffman3198]

Is there not tuba bits??

[@SplashKing]

Brayden Huffman I guess not but be safe bro

[@braydenhuffman3198]

Jay Splash you too bro, I love you bro

[@lividphysics1237]

So it's just a weird looking euphonium?

[@anaircondicer]

essentially yes

[@yrxw5]

Did you check the valve alignment?

[@blahblahblah5521]

if they wernt in right thw air wouldnt go through

[@alexsouthworth]

I laughed at the Eb scale. Wow.

[@pedrogarcia9527]

are you sure the instrument doesn't require a neck and bits to make it more comfortable and in tune?

[@jdtubaman]

That would require them to make them. I am sure standard Conn or King bits won't fit. And, I am sure the manufacturer is too cheap to think of that as well.

[@klauscartesius1275]

India, bad website, crappy product... figures. Keep it far away from people, pets, and check it for radioactivity, bugs, fecal matter and possible other nasty stuff inside - really. Your show is great, and you need to stay healthy :-)

[@4polyfootball]

Hey Trent! Have you used any other SAI instruments? I've seen them on ebay but everything I read online said they weren't any good. Any input? Love your videos btw!

[@TrentHamilton]

Hey Nic, thank's for your question. No, I haven't tried any other SAI instruments, but based on this one, I wouldn't risk buying a second.

[@4polyfootball]

That's what I figured. Thanks so much for the response! Keep up the videos. Can't tell you how much I enjoy them.

[@TrentHamilton]

Thanks mate :)

[@jordaneffinger2104]

If the Sousaphone is "technically" pitched in BBb, then why isn't it written a Major 2nd higher like the trumpet? Usually, if an instrument is in Bb, they play a 2nd lower then written? I know with the Baritone Horn and Euphonium, they play concert pitch in Bass and Tenor clef, but play like the trumpet in Treble clef. Why not with the Susaphone/Tuba?

[@krazychemist78]

Bass clef brass tends to not be transposed. A written C is a C, while with the Bb trumpet a written C is a concert Bb. The pitch of the instrument refers to the note that is the fundamental. For BBb tuba, it's the Bb below the staff, for a C tuba it's the C below the staff, and so on, while their parts are written in concert pitch. This may be due to the historical variety of tuba keys (BBb, CC, F, Eb) vs the trumpet (almost entirely Bb in American bands).

[@jordaneffinger2104]

I play Bass Clef Brass - along with others - so I know that, but I forgot about the fundamentals.

[@slenderwizzard22]

5:06 same face I made when I heard it AHHH SO FREAKING UNTUNIBLE

[@Marwarluigi]

You don't have any tuning slides?

[@TrentHamilton]

Yes, there are tuning slides, but tuning between octaves is abysmal as well. The first and second valve tuning slides need to be shortened too.

[@Marwarluigi]

Ah, see I have a Chinese M&M BBb tuba, and it plays just about as good as any other Miraphone or Jupiter I played. When you mentioned it had no spit valve, I thought you couldn't pull out the slides. Your reactions were priceless when you played haha, it sounded a full half-step out of tune D: Yikes

[@thomasewing2656]

More early brass band videos!

[@rotunda57]

I see on eBay they now sell a Bb helicon like your Bb baritone sousaphone, same except the bell. The leadpipe has no braces and will adjust right and left. Obviously your 2nd valve slide is too long. Shame they aren't making these decent or I'd buy one. Thanks!

[@daxonchristie6505]

it is in the same key as the euphonium/baritone

[@glass9880]

Daxon Christie I do think so, yes. It is after all just a tuba an octave higher. 👍

[@ClearToRailfan]

glass98 and it's a mini version of a tuba too

[@mr.incredible6276]

So it is called a euphonium sousaphone

[@lelgamers419]

Yes since sheet music baritone Bb is one higher than tuba. Which is what he said this is

[@carlenger9707]

1:49 Not entirely true, I have a Jupiter sousaphone with 4 valves that was used by a college marching band, and from what I've heard, those are pretty common. Maybe that's just an American thing, but I just wanted to point that out.