Holy mackerel look at this tuba!

Can I play it? Here’s how you can cheer me on.

Look at this tuba. LOOK AT IT. No, I didn’t buy it. I’m not a gazillionaire. But I rented it to see if I could play it. Read on for why and how you can help cheer me on. 

Why tuba?

First of all, have you SEEN this thing? It’s huge! It’s brassy. It’s HEAVY. Tubas play a prominent role in polka music, especially through the tradition of European community brass bands. They hold down the bass line and keep polka dancers in time.

I have also observed that there aren’t a ton of women playing the tuba. On the one hand, the polka records in my collection are generally from a pre-women’s lib period where the band members were mostly men. In March I’ll do a Polka Time episode featuring all the women in my record collection. 

But even today it’s hard to find women with tubas. It’s pretty thrilling to find groups like the Dirndolls in Illinois who have Steph Reid on the Sousaphone. You’ll see women in the lineup of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band as well. 

Women need to see other women doing things. It gives them permission to try new skills and to lead. Even if I don’t play this instrument forever, I want other women to see a woman playing a tuba. 

What are my goals? 

I have two things I want to accomplish. First, it’s a new year and it’s time for resolutions and staying inside in the snowy weather. It’s a perfect time to try something new. I know that playing music, learning, struggling, trying, and making progress towards a goal are so good for our brains. I just want to TRY this. 

Second, understanding what it takes to play this instrument will deepen my appreciation for the musicians who create the music I play on Polka Time. That deepening of appreciation will make me fall in love with the music even more, and that makes me a better DJ. That appreciation and understanding will help me produce a more joyful radio show for you. 

Cheer me on (and help me pay for this thing)!

This tuba cost me $95 to rent for the month. The joy of polka music and learning a new skill is priceless. This tuba, however, was not.

Become a member of the Shotski Lodge - you’re reading this on Substack where it’s easy to support creators like me. Chip in $5 this month in honor of the tuba. Give $60 to support Polka Time and the Shotski Lodge all year. Be a high-roller Founder at $100 and really give the record fund a boost! If you’re already a Shotski Lodge member, thank you so much for your support.

Give via Venmo - You don’t have to go through Substack to help with the tuba rental fund. Any gifts and tips via Venmo are welcome. 

Every dollar supports my mission to get more people to listen to polka, especially Wisconsin polka. 

My promise to you

At the end of the month, I’ll play you a song. I don’t know what song yet. I can’t guarantee it will be ANY GOOD. But I’ll have gone from “can I even blow air out of this thing?” to something recognizable in the “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or Sound of Music territory. 

Are you with me? Let’s go!