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The Tuba Cowgirl

by HaleyC4629

Chapter 1: The Origin and the First Lesson

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The Origin and the First Lesson

     When Applejack was in sixth grade, she played the euphonium in the band of Canterlot Middle School. Mr. Song, the band director, was notified about her great amount of strength she was gaining, he asked her to switch to the tuba. Applejack did so and she had no trouble handling the tuba's weight, but needed to figure out the comfortable way to get to the playing position. It didn't take her long to find it and started trying out the tuba. Her playing surprised her band mates and also Mr. Song. Mr. Song planned Applejack to stick with the tuba throughout her entire middle school years. Two years later, Applejack was in ninth grade and was still playing the tuba in the band of Canterlot High School Ninth Grade Campus. When she became a sophomore (tenth grader), she was transferred to Canterlot High School, and her tuba playing was getting a lot better and better.

     Now that she's a senior (twelfth grader), Applejack got used to the tuba's weight and was still playing it. She loved playing it as much as playing her bass and doing her farming for her family. Speaking of her family, she immediately thought about teaching Applebloom to play the euphonium, so she gave Applebloom her euphonium and received a new one from an old friend of hers. It turned out to be a great idea. Applebloom loved being with her older sister, especially when being taught a new thing she hadn't done before.  

     "I can tell yer excited about yer first lesson," said Applejack.

     "Yeah," said Applebloom, "I never played a euphonium b'fore."

     "Now ya can say that ya have," said Applejack with a smile as she got out her euphonium.

     Applebloom got out hers, and they both sat next to each other. Applejack also got out her euphonium study books for Applebloom to practice on her own and to practice with her. She placed them on her music stand so they could see what piece they would be playing.

     "Now, ya already know that we're holdin' our euphoniums," said Applejack, "And I guess ya don't know what it sounds like, do ya?"

     Applebloom shook her head no.

     "Well allow me ta demonstrate," said Applejack as she cleared her throat, got to her playing position and started to play a couple of tunes on her euphonium. She was not exactly rusty at it, but it had been a long time since she was switched from her euphonium to her tuba. After she was done playing, she could tell that Applebloom was confused a little bit and then started to explain the differences.

     "Fer one thang, this here euphonium has a similar sound like a trombone," she said, "But it's more mellower and a lil bit bigger but several inches smaller than my tuba over there. Some people call it a baritone ta make it more simpler for 'em."

     "Ain't it like a mini-sized tuba?" asked Applebloom.

     Applejack chuckled a little bit. "Well ya could say that," she replied, "Anyways let's get back ta business. Since we have the same kind, copy my playin' stance." She went to her playing position.

     Applebloom looked at her doing it and did the same. "Now what?" she asked.

     "Buzz yer lips t'gether ta produce the sound onto the mouthpiece," said Applejack as she demonstrated the embouchure and buzzed her lips together in a sort of low pitch.

     Applebloom tried doing so, but was having trouble putting it in that same pitch. Applejack demonstrated the same thing, trying to help her out. Applebloom tried and tried and tried until she finally got to that pitch.

     "Now try ta play an F," said Applejack and then started to play an F.

     Applebloom tried to play an F, but ended up playing a high B flat. She tried again and again until she finally played an F, with some help of course.

     "A band teacher I was havin' at Canterlot Middle taught me some easy tricks when playing it," said Applejack, "But that's fer when yer able ta play any notes and rhythms without any trouble. He also taught me an easy song that should be able ta help ya get started." She began to play a short simple song she was taught by Mr. Song.

     Applebloom listened to every note she was hearing.

     "Let's take it easy a notch 'cuz yer new at playin' that euphonium," said Applejack, "Try ta play with me as I slow it down, note by note."

     She started to play the simple song again, but this time, she played one note at a time so Applebloom could catch up and try to control her embouchure while playing. Applebloom was trying to her best to follow Applejack while she was playing note by note, and she didn't give up. They played in complete unison as they were finishing up the same simple song. Applejack was not totally surprised but amazed by Applebloom's perseverance.

     "Wow!" she said, "I wasn't expectin' that, but I'm very proud of ya fer keepin' on tryin' ta catch up with me!"

     "All I did was that I was tryin' my very best," said Applebloom as she was hugging her with gratitude, "And I couldn't have done it without yer help."

Next Chapter: The Sound of Oompahing Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes
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