Tuba's Discipline: An Antidote to Addiction's Emptiness

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "The Least of Us" by Sam Quinones - This book discusses the opioid epidemic, providing a grim counterpoint to the themes of fulfillment and community explored in "The Perfect Tuba."
• "Dreamland" by Sam Quinones - Another book by the author focusing on the opioid epidemic, specifically OxyContin, and its impact.
• "The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work" by Sam Quinones - The main topic of the episode, exploring the world of tuba players, marching bands, and the life lessons learned through music.

People Mentioned

• Bill Bell - Described as the greatest tuba player of his time, he recorded the first solo tuba record, liberating the instrument for many young players.
• Charlie Parker - A jazz musician whose playing liberated jazz players, similar to how Bill Bell liberated tuba players.
• Jimi Hendrix - A rock guitarist whose playing liberated rock guitarists, similar to how Bill Bell liberated tuba players.
• Arnold Jacobs - A legendary tuba player for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, known for his physical approach to playing.
• John Philip Sousa - The inventor of the sousaphone, a type of tuba used in marching bands.
• Al Cortinas - A band director in the Rio Grande Valley who revolutionized music education by hiring specialized band directors for each instrument, fostering talent and providing a positive alternative to drug cartels for young people.
• Andre Karpathy - An AI artificial intelligence thinker who emphasizes the importance of "agency" over "intelligence."
• David Besis - Discussed as an individual who argues that mathematics can be mastered by anyone, regardless of perceived natural ability.
• Malcolm Gladwell - Referenced in relation to his "10,000-hour thesis" on the time required for mastery.
• Willie Clark (Little Willie Clark) - A tuba player whose early experience with the instrument profoundly impacted his life, leading to a career in the Air Force ceremonial band.
• Jim Self - A retired tuba teacher from USC who built a specialized practice hall to accommodate the unique sound waves of the tuba, driven by his love for the instrument.
• Bob Carpenter - One of the individuals attempting to recreate the "perfect tuba" in Orlando, Florida.
• Tom Trees - Another individual involved in the effort to recreate the "perfect tuba" in Orlando, Florida.

Organizations & Institutions

• New York Philharmonic - The orchestra where Bill Bell, a legendary tuba player, worked.
• Indiana University - The location of "Tuba Woodstock," the first conclave of tuba players in 1973, marking a significant moment in tuba history.
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra - The orchestra where Arnold Jacobs, a legendary tuba player, performed.
• Roma Texas High School (Roma High School) - A high school in the Rio Grande Valley where Al Cortinas implemented his innovative band program.
• Air Force Ceremonial Band - The organization where Willie Clark served as a tuba player for 55 years.
• USC - The university where Jim Self was a tuba teacher.

Other Resources

• Tuba Woodstock - The first large gathering of tuba players, held at Indiana University in 1973, which fostered a sense of community among tuba enthusiasts.
• Tuba Christmas - An annual event where tuba players gather to play Christmas carols, serving as a community gathering for players of all ages and skill levels.
• The Flight of the Bumblebee - A classical piece by Rimsky-Korsakov often played on various instruments, including the tuba, to showcase virtuosity.