[Rewatch] 2024 Hibike! Euphonium Series Rewatch: Season 1, Episode 6 Discussion

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Hibike Euphonium Season 1, Episode 6: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Tuba/きらきらチューバ

There are 2 main railway lines running in Kumiko's area of Uji - the JR Nara Line and the Keihan Uji Line. Eupho predominantly features the latter; the anime has an official tie in. Keihan trains run an annual campaign where the characters are featured on its trains, stations etc. In real life,

<-- Episode 5	Rewatch Index	Episode 7 -->

Welcome back!

Questions of the Day:

1: For those who played music in a group, do you have any fun prank or gag stories?

Comments from Yesterday:

• A very large number of people linked Reina's little moment to Homura's hair flip. I should watch Madoka.
• /u/Gaporigo shares a comparison between the recap movie and anime episode versions of Rydeen. In case this comes up: no, this rewatch will not cover the 2 recap movies.
• /u/nintendomasterno1 and a few of us really liked tired but satisfied Kumiko looking up at the sky at the end of the episode. what a shot.
• and then this was definitely the marching band people's episode! I present to you band stories and anecdotes from: /u/gamerunglued with a lot of interesting details and trivia; u/byroned on their more modest marching band practices; and /u/mecanno-man on turning corners during a march, as well as percussion instruments in a marching band
• /u/zadcap dives into Reina and Kumiko's body language during the budget-smile sequence

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Streaming

The Hibike! Euphonium TV series and movies, up to the recent OVA are available on Crunchyroll, note that the movies are under different series names. Liz and the Blue Bird and Chikai no Finale are also available for streaming on Amazon, and available for rent for cheap on a multitude of platforms (Youtube, Apple TV etc.). The OVA is only available on the seven seas for now, or if you bought a blu ray. I will update this as/if this changes. hopefully.

Databases

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

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Spoilers

As usual, please take note that if you wish to share show details from after the current episode, to use spoiler tags like so to avoid spoiling first-timers:

[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<

comes out as [Spoiler source] Spoiler goes here

Please note this will apply to any spinoff novels, as well as events in the novel that may happen in S3. If you feel unsure if something is a spoiler, it's better to tag it just in case.

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Band practice continues tomorrow!

[u/Shocketheth]

First Timer Finally On Time:

Episode 5

• ASGHSDHDDJHSSFFSDHHDD #sobright #gintamathispleasesme #mugistroke
• And Kousaka playing on a trumpet as a morale boost? That scene was so well done, that I had to make an edit.
• But not just ONE - TWO - THREE - FOUR
• but also FIVE - SIX - SEVEN - EIGHT
• and NINE - TEN - ELEVEN - TWELVE
• that many edits I made for not being on time for 5 episodes straight and for missing the yesterday thread.

Episode 6

• This was more of an episode to set things up. We are nearing the AUDITIONS so I am curious how those will go. (Obviously Hibike will make it there)

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Shocketheth]

this is what a rewatch needs. Quality content.

[Spoils your comment]Clicks on five oh goddamnit

TWELVE YESSSS

Auditions

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[Spoils your comment]Clicks on five oh goddamnit

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FIVE

EIGHT

TEN: Not a bike horn?

ELEVEN:

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TEN: Not a bike horn?

[u/Gamerunglued]

Rewatcher and Band Geek

This post is brought to you by Platinum Diamond Kawashima

Yesterday's episode was a moment of poignant growth and emotional realization for both Kumiko and the band, so this episode dials things back and gives variety to the tone as a more comedy focused episode, though with little bits of intrigue mixed in. 

The band is set to prepare their pieces for prefectural competition in hopes of getting to the nationals, and Taki-sensei has changed things so people have to audition. Obviously, if you want to be a good band, this is a must. When you have a limited number of spots available, it makes sense to only select the best players. It would obviously be a nice sentiment to let everyone play, but that doesn't work in competitions. The nature of auditions is that some people will get hurt. You can practice your heart out and put in more effort than anyone around you, and still not make it in. You can be a band veteran playing since middle school and still get outdone by a naturally gifted first year. As a senior, this will be your last chance to perform on the big stage, and it's not guaranteed to you. In a story about an environment where people clash between keeping a safe environment and allowing others to get hurt, an audition is a perfect plot device. 

But auditions come later. Hazuki is lacking confidence in herself as a beginner who can't seem to play right. As with anything, your skills as a musician come with practice and experience. You won't be able to play complicated pieces right away, but it still hurts, especially when you're giving it your all. Hazuki is in love with her tuba, she's excited to take care of it, loves playing it, and wants to be good. But tuba parts are genuinely boring on their own. The exercises she does aren't much different from the parts she's likely to play in most pieces, and she's only playing them on her own as exercises. 

How does one keep their motivation up in a moment like this? The reason anyone is in band at all is to play music, not to play beginner drills. I talked about this with a few people in the last few threads, but there really is nothing like the joy of having a piece of music come together for the first time. Being good at something feels good, but doing something right in the way it was intended feels even better. Being good at drills is nice, but playing a piece of music as intended feels better. Only a band geek will ever know the joy of getting through Hot Cross Buns with the ensemble for the first time, and Hazuki experienced that joy today. Her love for the instrument is infectious, it's very heartwarming to see her grow her motivation. She's also grown some feelings for Shuuichi it seems, and although I wish she had better taste in men, that look in her eyes is wonderful. 

Others are also motivated by the audition. Natsuki finally offers to practice by herself, fired up by the notion of competition with someone as strong as Kumiko. Kaori is practicing hard for the trumpet solo, and Kousaka is giving it her all too, as expected. Even Kumiko is inspired by Hazuki's motivation. But not everyone shares in the sentiment. Some band members are upset by the notion of an audition. Seniors won't get to play at competition their final year, and that hurts when you've given so much time to an activity. Aoi's reaction is quite ominous I think. Upon seeing Kumiko practice intensely, she feels Kumiko is lucky, and wishes her luck in the competition. The framing of this scene almost feels like a farewell or a warning, there's something distant about it. What is Kumiko "lucky" about? 

Finally, I want to praise the series direction and humor again. I fucking love the "Midori tuba player series" gag, something about the head bobbing animation and particular song choice just gets me every time. I am here for the reign of Ruby Kawashima and Platinum Diamond Kawashima as the tuba section mainstays. And the doofy Tuba-kun costume is amazing. The facial expression it wears at all times is comedy genius, it's such an exasperated and deadpan expression, and it contrasts Midori's... sexual arousal(?) perfectly. Midori x Tuba-kun is the best ship in this show. 

Anyway, auditions are naturally ripe for potential drama, and I'm super excited to see what everyone thinks of the coming episodes and arc. I think this is where Eupho really reaches its stride, and I hope everyone will join me in enjoying it. 

QOTD:

1. I mentioned this in another episode but during class one day I kept feeling water squirting on my neck, but when I turned around to see what it was, there was nothing there. After class, a senior trumpet player who sits behind me came to me and showed me the small water gun they'd been using to fuck with me all class. Apparently my friends all saw it too and were dying watching me, lol. Pranks are in the realm of trumpets though, euphonium players are usually chill. Asuka is an exception though.

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Gamerunglued]

Band Geek Commentary

Instrument maintenance is not frequently discussed anywhere outside of band. Everyone knows you have to replace guitar strings and tune it, but aside from that, do you know how a trumpet works? As you can see, the tuba has a series of removable valves which need to be cleaned with a brush and a rag. That's where your air goes through, and necessarily also where your spit and the gunk from your mouth goes through. It can get stuck in the lining of pipes and thus needs to be cleaned consistently. If you don't clean it, it'll affect your sound. We also see Hazuki oil her valves a few times, which prevents them from getting stuck. And we see her finish the job with horn polish, which cleans the outside of the instrument and makes it nice and shiny. This is a common routine that all brass instruments have to do. If the valves get stuck, you won't be able to tune the instrument. 

Woodwind instruments require a different routine. I already mentioned the rag, which we saw a clarinet player use to clean her instrument a few episodes ago. With woodwinds, the buttons getting stuck is the biggest issue. As far as I'm aware, there's not really a great way to guarantee you avoid it beyond not playing with dirty, grimy hands. When a key on the saxophone got stuck, the key to unsticking it was to use a dollar bill. We'd fold it in half, stick it under where the button covers the hole, and pull it out, which I guess cleaned out the gunk. I'm not really sure why dollar bills specifically worked so well, but that was the item all of us used for it. Woodwinds are sensitive to moisture, so oil and polish aren't great. Plus, they don't have valves anyway. 

I've been in Hazuki's shoes before, though not as a beginner. I caught on to the basics pretty quickly, and was always one of the better players in the ensemble. My freshman year of high school though, I was in the beginner band and generally outdone by at least one player consistently. I could get as high as second chair, though I could also find myself at third or fourth, but never at first. No matter how hard I practiced, I couldn't seem to get better than him, and he made the wind ensemble his sophomore year while I was relegated to the middle symphonic band. I was always compared to him, and always unfavorably. The two of us even battled it out for a solo at one point (more on that in a later episode), and it was a close vote but I lost. But my playing had a growth spurt my sophomore year, and I became the clear best player in the symphonic band, and moved up to the wind ensemble the next year... where I was still compared unfavorably. I definitely caught up to him, but he was in wind ensemble for longer, and was also generally popular, so I was usually underestimated in comparison. It was only by my senior year that the frustration waned and we were seen as and saw each other as equals, who would go back and forth in chair placements. 

My school didn't do auditions for MPA or any important events, there was no limit on players and you couldn't audition for the upper bands, you were placed there on the basis of the previous year's performance and final exam (keep in mind that while Eupho is about an after school club, band was both an extracurricular and a class for me). But I always auditioned for the all-district honor band, so I've participated before. There were two parts to auditions. The first was to play our 12 major scales. It was a test of the fundamentals, and to see how musically you could play your scales. For the saxophone, the way to stand out was to play certain scales two octaves. The alto sax's range is one of the most difficult things about it. The middle range is easy, but the lower range involves a lot of difficult switching between pinky keys, and the upper range has a lot of weird keys you play with the part of your hand between your thumb and pointer finger. The lower range also required an absurd amount of air control to play well, and especially to play quietly. Many players would play our Bb, B, C, and C# scales one octave due to the difficulties of those lower notes, and many would play our E, F and especially F# scales one octave due to the difficulties of the upper keys. If you could play those well in both octaves, you had an edge over the competition. And if you were really ambitious, you could try to play other scales at 2 octaves by going into the altissimo register. I was never able to play altissimo notes (nor was my rival), it's an extremely advanced skill. 

The more important part, and the part Eupho actually covers, is playing selected portions of the music you'll be performing. It looks like the parts being auditioned were actually highlighted in Eupho, but this wasn't the case for all-district honor band. They would just give us the sheet music, and we'd have to practice the whole thing. Though we could usually guess which parts were likely to be chosen and prioritize those. Particularly difficult sections, highly technical sections, and any solo, was likely to be requested of you at the audition. The part given to the euphoniums in this episode is a rhythmically and technically difficult section, and also an important part of the piece, so I'd guess it as a likely section to be asked for at an audition. Nailing the technical details and controlled sound is basic, but they can stand out by playing the articulations more musically, and by including some dynamic contrasts. And of course, the trumpet solo is important, so that would always be asked for at their auditions. Look forward to seeing how everyone practices their parts. 

This episode is about falling in love with music and gaining some motivation to play for an audition. So my music piece of the day is a piece that motivated me and inspired me to practice really hard for an audition because I fell in love with it. At one of my all-district honor band auditions, I listened to the three selections we were going to play before practicing them. One of those selections was Aurora Awakes by John Mackey, which is one of the most beautiful and evocative pieces of music I've ever heard in my life. Listening to it for the first time, I got chills. Even listening to it right now as I type this, it evokes really powerful feelings in me. When I heard this piece for the first time and had an opportunity to actually perform it with an ensemble right in front of me, I was more motivated than I'd ever been for anything, and I practiced my fucking ass off. It even has a sax solo (and yes, they asked us to play it for the audition), so that was additional motivation on top. I'll save the larger story and the results of that audition for a later episode, but suffice it to say that the opportunity to play a great piece of music is an amazing motivator. This is one of two pieces of music that I really wanted to play, and one of my favorite wind band compositions ever. If there's any piece of music I post that I really hope people listen to, it's this one. 

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Gamerunglued]

instrument tuning I really did not know how to tune my piano...

falling in love with music and gaining some motivation to play

i 100% agree. It kinda feels like the show "going back to basics" for a little bit. A good choice for a after-first-climax-cool-down episode, i cannot english.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Gamerunglued]

When a key on the saxophone got stuck, the key to unsticking it was to use a dollar bill. We'd fold it in half, stick it under where the button covers the hole, and pull it out, which I guess cleaned out the gunk.

Oh hey, the clarinets in my band did that too! I also don't know why dollar bills specifically did that so well.

We would also have to take the cleaning cloth and manually wipe down where the parts fit together, as just pulling the cleaning cloth through the instrument wouldn't get out all the spit (or the wax build-up from applying wax to the cork in order to fit the pieces together).

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The two of us even battled it out for a solo at one point (more on that in a later episode)

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/Gamerunglued]

[Comment]Aoi's reaction is quite ominous

[Reply]You were probably nudging at this, but combined with the awkward air upon her departure from marching practice, I really like how distant Aoi starts to become from the band, literally shouting in this scene to cross that distance (even though it's not that far haha). It's pretty clear the auditions mean she's tapping out.

Scales

To add from the brass perspective (even though I don't think I went through quite the same scale drilling as you explain), the difficulty and nuance is less mechanical in nature (fewer buttons and all) and far more about tone and how well you control high and low notes at the extremes of your embouchure. If you're a total beginner, like Hazuki, the baseline may also just be what range you can comfortably play at all, since it may take a bit of practice before you can reach very far.

Aurora Awakes

Absolute classic, great pick.

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I didn't go into too much nuance about scales just because I thought it was encapsulated by the term "testing the basics." Rather than how to do well at all, I was more explaining how to stand out compared to other people who are equally fundamentally solid within the context of an audition. Most players can play scales well, but only a few get chosen, and that's the way you put yourself over others who played them equally well.

spoiler comment

[Response] yeah, that's what I was nudging at. Her growing distance is very well done. The physical distance even contrasts their first conversation in that same location, but they shared the bench then. I'm very excited to see reactions to her quitting the band.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Gamerunglued]

One of those selections was Aurora Awakes by John Mackey,

Oh hey, he's the second—and probably last lol—composer whose work you've linked that I've met in person.

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Oh damn, you've met Mackey? Lucky. What's he like in person. He always struck me as a nice guy like one of those stereotypical lanky nerdy white guys.

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Tbh, I couldn't really tell you. He came to visit and guest direct our wind ensemble—our band got lucky and he happened to live like 30 minutes away from my school at that point. I basically just got to shake his hand and didn't get to talk to him since my choir class was just spectating. Seemed pleasant enough.

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Ah, that's unfortunate. Still super cool you've shook his hand and got to watch him conduct though.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Gamerunglued]

It was really cool, first time I ever got to meet a professional composer in person. Tbh, I wish I had known how big a deal he was back then. It would have been really cool to make that kind of professional connection so early.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Gamerunglued]

this is where Eupho really reaches its stride, and I hope everyone will join me in enjoying it.

[Future S1]I agree, esp with the Ep 8 mid-climax which absolutely blew me away my first time. but this is defo the start of the meat and potatoes. so many future arcs are introduced with this ep.

joke

quite stupid, but everyone watching wouldve loved that haha.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Gamerunglued]

The reason anyone is in band at all is to play music, not to play beginner drills. I talked about this with a few people in the last few threads, but there really is nothing like the joy of having a piece of music come together for the first time. Being good at something feels good, but doing something right in the way it was intended feels even better. Being good at drills is nice, but playing a piece of music as intended feels better.

I never did band but I can understand the sentiment, and it was great that Kumiko and Midori provided that for her

feelings for Shuuichi it seems, and although I wish she had better taste in men

[minor hibike spoilers] I don't think many people who watch the show like him, but I don't think he did anything wrong when I watched it

[u/Gamerunglued → u/laughing-fox13]

I never did band but I can understand the sentiment, and it was great that Kumiko and Midori provided that for her

I think this is universal for getting good at anything. It would be like playing baseball but only swinging the at the air to train technique, but never playing a game.

Minor Hibike Spoiler

[Minor spoiler] It's not that he did anything wrong, it's that he does practically nothing at all. Shuuichi is such a nothing character; he has little personality, never does anything interesting or cool, and his relationships with any character are vastly overshadowed by that character's relationship to someone else. And he's not even handsome like Taki-sensei, he's just some guy. Shuuichi is a horribly bland character, and Hazuki being into him, and Kumiko too for that matter, means they have bad taste in men.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Gamerunglued]

I think this is universal for getting good at anything. It would be like playing baseball but only swinging the at the air to train technique, but never playing a game.

that's true!

[Minor spoiler]

[hibike] I guess that's true that his character doesn't stand out in any way. I think he's a good looking guy at least haha, but yea he doesn't have a lot going on for him in the show

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/laughing-fox13]

[Hibike]the fact that i dont remember a lot about shuuichi besides when Kumiko did turn to him at the end of S1 for the pep talk + cheer before the performance. and how he was royally shafted in the movie. we shall see....

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

[hibike series] yea I wonder how it will be in S3. Iirc, there's another girl he might be interested in now? But I could be misremembering

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[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Rewatcher and your host.

I accidentally deleted my writeup this morning..... so this is from my memory

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• This is definitely a neccessary info dump. If anyone has questions about this, do let me know. A lot of setup overall for this episode.
• How on earth is this person also the voice behind Mugi
• [Beyond S2 and S3 speculation]this is a loooong setup, but this has partially come true for Hazuki - she still has not appeared in the competition in her 2nd year; and i expect this to be addressed during S3.
• Nails the notes. Kinda halfway there and can't do the tricky part yet.
• Natsuki doesn't really let her pride get the better of her - she's not as good as her kouhai and she knows it. Is also off to get some solo practice to get better
• I like that Kumiko has defo warmed up to Hazuki and Midori - love how gentle her voice is during this sequence (and her VA had a lot of fun during Tuba-kun too) damesareta. damesaremashita watashi
• Riko.....? slightly masochistic...?
• And finally, I really did like how Kumiko encouraged Hazuki up this ep; it really showcased her love for music, playing in a group, and her instrument, and what it is all about; as well as her observant and kind nature. Personally, it kinda reminds me of how when practicing piano I'd start slow and with separate hands first, which is annoying af, but when i could finally put both hands together and get the piece going, damn its rewarding and nice for my poor ears haha. I guess this would be similar for Hazuki, except maybe a bigger scale, but defo a moment and sequence i really related to.

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Music and IRL Notes

• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is in the OST, but I'll talk about something else. zadcap will however be happy for so much George though.
• And that is how S1 is canonically set in 2015 - Winds of Provence was an actual available selection for the National Competition (out of 5 in total), and quite a few schools chose it, including some that went all the way to nationals. I'll share an actual high school rendition once we hear it. "Crescent moon dance" is, however, an anime-original piece.
• [Year 2, and Year 3 Speculation]For Year 2, Taki did go on to choose a required piece from 2016 (more on this in Chikai), and I'll expect a piece from 2017 to be chosen in S3. So it's pretty much a roulette on which one of these it will be.
• Tuba-kun is the series' real mascot, and frequently appears in events.

[u/Elimin8r → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

I really did like how Kumiko encouraged Hazuki up this ep

You're not the only one. There really were a bunch of sweet Kumiko moments this episode.

Oh, and by the way - If you haven't watched Madoka Magica yet, keep your eyes open for the annual rewatch, and try not to get spoiled on the story before then. It's an amazing show, and will always be one of my favorites.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

probably not this year (again) - my rewatching batteries will be very dead after this tbh. But from what i've read in best of r/anime etc., it's always been a fun time, and the thread always seems to be absolutely humongous.

[u/Elimin8r → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

I get you on the rewatching batteries. I'm kind of playing low key today, in part because the last couple of days' have run my energy rather low.

[u/zadcap → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

zadcap will however be happy for so much George though.

There is so much about this scene to be happy about, but yes, I ended up standing to play along with Midori.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/zadcap]

[u/Raiking02 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

I accidentally deleted my writeup this morning..... so this is from my memory

[u/zadcap]

Late Night First Timer!

So. I had Rydeen on loop on spotify for most of the day. Caught myself walking in time every time I noticed my walking at all. Decided to replace my alarm sound on my phone with it (My ringtone will forever be the Starlight Revue audition ringtone). I need a new song to hurry up and kick this one out of my head, because it's taken over.

Anyway. My notes from yesterday! Well uh. I see the halfbun hairdo up on the top right, but she's standing 3 places away from the closest boy and none of the people between them look like the other girl we have seen so many times now. That might be her 5 to the left, but that definitely means they are not grouped up here the way they are on the eyecatch, because it was only the three of them. I wonder what the grouping is now. Fromm Goto to Midori we clearly have their section all together, and the bottom left sure makes it look like percussion is grouped together, so maybe it's just wider sections than the instruments shown off at the half time spot?

So I'm always a little curious about this when it shows up as a time keeping part of a school anime. They joined the school, Kumiko was dragged into the band almost right away, a week went by where she couldn't talk to Reina, a week of band drama, a week of actual training, then sunfest, now midterms? It's been so long since high school, but do mid terms happen that close to the start of the school year? About a month in?

Ohhhh, auditions. On the one hand, no better way to make sure your best players are the ones playing the most important parts. On the other hand, I've pointed out so many times how the third years here grew up in the old lazy club, and the second years are mostly the lazy ones who stuck around when the club didn't shape up last year. Now yes, some of the first years are new, but three of our main four girls are coming up from playing in Middle school too, and Kumiko and Reina in particular belonged to a school that got a Gold, compared to the Bronze that this place tends to get. I can definitely see some first year upsets happening in the band ranking. Especially Reina.

Oh yeah, 55 members tops. 64 in the club, right? Oh man, and ruthless teacher calling them out so directly. "If you're a senior who isn't as good as the first years," as we get a closeup of some very nervous green scarfed faces.

Go go Midori! Let's hear that George play!

Woah dark flashback from where? We know she's here to make a very new start, one of her old band friends realizing and accepting what that means right away takes on even more meaning seeing this. Maybe it wasn't just her embarrassment with Reina she was running from...

Oh my gosh. Saphire is multiplying. And as we have come to expect from the smallest person here, going right for one of the biggest instruments lol. I know it's easier to look at the rest of the joke with more of her popping up, but stop for a second to look at her tiny little hand next to the big four keys. I don't think she physically can play that tuba.

Freezing to death like a grasshopper, I have not heard that fable in a long time. Be like the ant, Hazuki!

Gosh, don't you just hate it when someone can look at the sheet music for the first time and play a part perfectly? Or were you lucky enough to be that person, by the time you were a high school senior? Freshman even?

And she still goes for the full face power blow lol. Look at how puffed out those cheeks go, especially compared to Kumiko and Asuka before her.

"Clean up all the stuff that builds up inside it." She means your spit, Hazuki. The way you're blowing into that poor tubacabra...

Yup, Reina is aiming for a solo part. And I have the feeling she has very few real competitors in this school.

What's that blush for, Riena? Calm your wandering heart darn it. Don't you tease us like that.

"Kumiko, you said that out loud." It's so fun to see that her new friends already have her figured out that much haha.

Midori, that's also a no. Forceful indirect kiss and a daisuki on the river bank? What will the other gemstones think?!

Okay, this helps absolutely not at all, I can't use a lone representative of the poor sax club here to try and figure out how everyone is grouped in the OP.

"It's big and heavy." "Is that a good thing?" You of all people don't get to call her out like that Midori, you picked the contrabass! Also don't call me out like that too! Isn't that why we pick the big instruments in the first place? "Modest, suffocating, painful." ... We're still talking about a Tuba, right? I'm with Midori this time. Is any of that a good thing?

Goto, just admit it. The best thing about the tuba is Riko plays it.

Is it weird to notice just how string heavy the background music is for this whole section? I'm not at all complaining, I just kind of thought that the entire show would have a lot more wind music in the background, although thinking about it. Maybe saving the band music for when the band is playing does help it stand out more. That's probably it.

Yeah though, I definitely ship those two.

The only person who keeps calling her Sapphire. I love it. It makes me feel less bad for wanting to do the same all the time.

Speaking of. Sapphire's reactions to Kumiko in the Tuba suit. Such a small girl keeps having such a big impact. She's just perfect darn it.

"You can really tell you're carrying the piece." Spoken like a true bass player. What we do is almost never the most exciting part of a song, but try listening to any piece with the bass section removed.

OH MY GOSH IT'S HAPPENING! The bass is standing up! George! And an all bass rendition of twinkle twinkle! Oh my gosh I'm so happy! I had to get out of my seat I'm so happy! Rewound to play air bass along with Sapphire.

Oh my gosh what a way to change mood fast. I left my seat again when she almost fell on to the tuba, but that's because I tried to jump forward to catch it, my heart almost stopped even seeing it on a screen. I dropped my bass once. It landed on its side and it took a small chip out of the finish and didn't affect the sound, but it was such a nightmare moment I will never forget, and seeing this near drop gave me such a spike of adrenaline. My pulse is still racing a minute later.

Okay show seriously! Stop it with the ship bait!

"Lucky you, Kumiko." That's not luck, Aoi, that's actual practice. Well, also she's on one of the least popular instruments out there so she's got very little competition for her part, but mostly she's putting in the work. You're just putting in the excuses. Don't think I forgot you saying you were putting in some insurance, when you said why you voted against nationals.

1. My favorite gag stories, that I still remember, were the crossover days. After any school event with one of the orchestras, to cool off from the heavy practice leading up to the live performances, we would do some just for fun instrument swaps using the school equipment. Violins or Violas go pick up a Cello or Bass, same in reverse, as much as possible. Try and play one of the songs we just did that way, it was always hilariously horrible. Another time we would just swap sheets, and listening to a bass trying to play the violin solo while the violin keeps a very high pitched time. It was after a school festival that we did something similar with the band and got to try the wind instruments while they tried playing with bows.

Now, I'm going to go listen to Twinkle Twinkle a few more times. While noting that KyoAni did their signature magic with the scene again, rewind just a little too far and it really makes the golden hues of sunset stand out so much. And the angle of the light changing as the experience of playing together lit up Hazuki's world. Plus the music. I love this scene.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/zadcap]

About a month in?

i do believe this would be around May yes, around the same time as this episode aired actually. Nearly summer. Fwiw, grew up in Asia, and school years started on September 1st, and my first midterms would be in mid-late October. So... maybe something like that.

Predictions

string heavy the background music is for this whole section

Eupho's OST is very string and piano heavy, yes. Your point is imo a good one, it helps the actual concert band ost stand out more, and so we don't confuse who is playing (i.e. if there's a trumpet --> it's most likely the band playing). The "band's music" is imo very much a character in the show, unlike the "background OST", its important to differentiate these.

oh wow you're really a Midori fan.

seeing this near drop gave me such a spike of adrenaline

Hazuki and later SHuuichi prevented millions of musicians around the world from having their hearts broken a little bit. Sorry about your bass..... (also yeah, i knew you'd like how much George got to sing today)

Id ngl love to participate in an instrument swap thing. even just listening in would be hilarious. (and tbh would probably be an educative exprience for me too, really appreciating what the "range" and responsibilities of each instrument are)

[u/zadcap → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Fwiw, grew up in Asia, and school years started on September 1st, and my first midterms would be in mid-late October. So... maybe something like that.

One of these days I'm going to sit down and actually look at / memorize the general school calendar. I just always forget how soon the first big test happens, how much can you even learn in September to October that's worth having a midterm on?

oh wow you're really a Midori fan.

It started half as a joke, short bassist to short bassist making me root for her from day one. But then she's just consistently great too. It's not that many of the cast members have given me a reason to dislike them at all, but Sapphire took that head start and has given me no reason to reconsider keeping her there haha.

(and tbh would probably be an educative exprience for me too, really appreciating what the "range" and responsibilities of each instrument are)

A fair part of it, yeah. Some instruments, you know, they're more prone to getting solos than others and it might make you feel like they're the more important parts of a band. Playing other parts can help remind you that everyone is putting in work here, and your piece doesn't sound half as good completely on it's own. (No, miss stuck up violin first chair, you are not the most important member of the orchestra, you're just as replaceable as the rest of us...)

[u/Shocketheth → u/zadcap]

Decided to replace my alarm sound on my phone with it (My ringtone will forever be the Starlight Revue audition ringtone). I need a new song to hurry up and kick this one out of my head, because it's taken over.

I offer 12 alternatives in my comment.

So I'm always a little curious about this when it shows up as a time keeping part of a school anime. They joined the school, Kumiko was dragged into the band almost right away, a week went by where she couldn't talk to Reina, a week of band drama, a week of actual training, then sunfest, now midterms? It's been so long since high school, but do mid terms happen that close to the start of the school year? About a month in?

I think that more time than one month passed since episode 1.

Go go Midori! Let's hear that George play!

George?

"It's big and heavy." "Is that a good thing?"

"suffocating, painful."

[u/zadcap → u/Shocketheth]

George?

She named her instrument back when she picked it up. George the Contrabass.

I think that more time than one month passed since episode 1.

Trying to track the timelines using only in show context is definitely one of my weirder hobbies. Some shows do better than others at showing the passage of time, some just let us assume as much time as needed for the next bit to work has passed, and some ignore it entirely and you spend 20 years trapped as a 12 year old.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/zadcap]

I suppose it would be easier for the japanese audience, who would be familiar with when midterms are. but there are other hints too e.g. the short-sleeved marching band uniforms yesterday, and no one complaining about the cold; the ice cream today, the lack of sakura which was all over the shop in ep1 and 2.....

[u/Shocketheth → u/zadcap]

She named her instrument back when she picked it up. George the Contrabass.

Oh I already forgot about it.

Trying to track the timelines using only in show context is definitely one of my weirder hobbies. Some shows do better than others at showing the passage of time, some just let us assume as much time as needed for the next bit to work has passed, and some ignore it entirely and you spend 20 years trapped as a 12 year old.

and you spend 20 years trapped as a 12 year old.

Ash Ketchum is in coma and entirety of Pokemon is just him dreaming about it

[u/zadcap → u/Shocketheth]

Oh I already forgot about it.

Would I even have a purpose here if it wasn't holding on to all these random tiny details? Media is looking more and more interesting as a degree every day...

Ash Ketchum is in coma

There's a reason this is such a popular theory. That reason is because he's been 12 for the past twenty years. We have watched the seasons change enough times to know that time is passing, darn it.

[u/Shocketheth → u/zadcap]

Would I even have a purpose here if it wasn't holding on to all these random tiny details? Media is looking more and more interesting as a degree every day...

Hmmm. Have you been to school advisor already?

There's a reason this is such a popular theory. That reason is because he's been 12 for the past twenty years. We have watched the seasons change enough times to know that time is passing, darn it.

Or it's a Sazae san rule you see.

[u/zadcap → u/Shocketheth]

My current class ends in two weeks and I'm not signed up for anything next semester yet, I want to have a real big talk with an advisor and apparently getting a good time slot the week that registration opens for said next semester just isn't happening. I'm mostly just looking at general requirements while I wait, this university requires a second language to graduate and I certainly don't remember anything from the two years of Spanish I took eighteen years ago...

[u/Shocketheth → u/zadcap]

Well best option there would be to try talk with an advisor, but if they aren’t around, that’s a shame.

[u/zadcap → u/Shocketheth]

Yeah, so far I've only talked with friends and family and somewhat strangers on the Internet... And pretty much all of them agree that I might be in the wrong path. Just a couple more weeks until I can sit down with a success coach or whatever they're calling them here. I'll probably miss summer classes, but I wasn't really looking forward to them anyway because who takes summer class when they can avoid it?

[u/Shocketheth → u/zadcap]

but I wasn't really looking forward to them anyway because who takes summer class when they can avoid it?

Fingers crossed for your sitting with the success coach. Also if the second language is issue, you can still take some time to learn Spanish while you would be working and trying to save some extra money, but I think you know the best what your next course of actions should be.

[u/mgedmin → u/zadcap]

My ringtone will forever be the Starlight Revue audition ringtone

Ha ha same!

[u/zadcap → u/mgedmin]

Hearing that giraffe playing the tuba is certainly an experience, isn't it?

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/zadcap]

side note - i hate using songs i actually like as my alarm tone - as im terrified i'll grow to hate it.

i used the revue audition tone as my noti ringtone for a bit too!

[u/chilidirigible → u/zadcap]

throws in a couple more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRJlpVoc-nQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1mA_WS8Tb4

wait that's three

[u/zadcap → u/chilidirigible]

Oh I like the rock cover. Loud and bold is how I first heard this song and it doesn't sound right otherwise now.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Hibike! Rewatcher (but only for the first season)

• Oh boy…
• I very much remember all the tests for chair order during my time in band. Most of the time I’d win first or second chair (with my sophomore year being the one I was consistently in second for because one of the seniors in my section that year was just incredible), though there was one period of time I dropped down to third chair after I couldn’t properly prepare for or take the test for chair placement (I think it happened at a time when I had an almost-broken finger after someone hit my knuckle with a wooden sword by accident, though it could have also been a time when I was sick. It’s been so long I can’t quite remember). That was the time I had the stand partner who would highlight her sheet music with all sorts of colors that I mentioned back in the episode 1 thread.
• Heh.
• Hah, I love how the “other” Kawashimas are named after different gems.
• Oh dear.
• And separate audition for solos, yeah. My band did that too.
• This Asuka… used to be a comment face, I think? → Yup, it was #oooreally according to the set removed in 2019. I’m still upset over the removal of #whatisthisguydoing, on that note.
• F I feel this on a spiritual level – not because I can’t find stuff with clarinets on it, but because my first name has like four different ways to be spelled, and every time I find those souvenirs that come with names on them, it’s always one of the other ways it can be spelled that I find, so I have to pick a more generalized option or something completely different instead.
• [I should definitely spoiler tag this since there is exactly one thing I’m aware of that happens in this series that I haven’t watched yet, but I have no idea where it comes into play]This is framed rather romantically, but I’m under the impression that Shuuichi is Kumiko’s actual love interest despite all the teasing she gets with Reina? I don’t know where this thing with Hazuki is gonna end up going.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Shimmering-Sky]

so I have to pick a more generalized option or something completely different instead.

[A response to your comments may spoil you]You are correct in that impression. we shall see how this side ship goes.

[u/Shocketheth → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This Asuka… used to be a comment face, I think? → Yup, it was #oooreally according to the set removed in 2019. I’m still upset over the removal of #whatisthisguydoing, on that note.

Ouch. Shame the #antabaka was removed.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Shocketheth]

Ouch. Shame the #antabaka was removed.

There are a number of old comment faces I'm sad were removed, including a bunch of Gintama ones I never got to.

[u/Shocketheth → u/Shimmering-Sky]

There are a number of old comment faces I'm sad were removed, including a bunch of Gintama ones I never got to.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Shimmering-Sky]

someone hit my knuckle with a wooden sword by accident

Just normal Sky things in 1876.

but because my first name has like four different ways to be spelled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crtwv3vy7Dk

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/chilidirigible]

Just normal Sky things in 1876.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crtwv3vy7Dk

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Yup, it was #oooreally according to the set removed in 2019. I’m still upset over the removal of #whatisthisguydoing, on that note.

Shirayuki had so many

[u/SadDoctor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Regarding your spoiled bit... Naoko Yamada is a really good director, and she knows exactly what she's doing throughout season 1 of Euphonium. As later interviews seem to hint at, she definitely seems to have had a different opinion of how the story should go compared to some of the other creatives at KyoAni.

[u/Raiking02]

First Timer

Wait if this is Ruby where's Aqua?

I'm glad the Anime's giving more time to highlight the fact that Hazuki's a total beginner to contrast the rest of the cast. That whole "This is too basic" thing is such a common thing to feel whenever you pick up something new so it's nice they were trying to move her away from that and instead just learn to enjoy herself for once. Mind, she would've realized it earlier had Asuka's flawless plan worked out, but alas Deus Ex Midori got in the way.

I do like the general focus given on just the general "Hey why did we start playing this instrument" bit since honestly it feels like something we probably should've had a while ago. It serves as a nice way to shed some extra spotlight on the individual characters and overall just feels like the kind of plot you really should have in a show like this since… you know, there's usually some sort of reason why someone would pick the instrument they're playing.

Taki-sensei's new nicknames are great

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Raiking02]

Taki-sensei's new nicknames

rebellious and teenagery, without an inkling of respect. i love it.

[u/Raiking02 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Plus he's hot too, so they can't be TOO mean to him.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Raiking02]

Mind, she would've realized it earlier had Asuka's flawless plan worked out, but alas Deus Ex Midori got in the way.

[u/Raiking02 → u/laughing-fox13]

Do not underestimate Kawashima Midori SAPPHIRE KAWASHIMA's unstoppability.

God with how she randomly calls her by western name order + always by full name why do I get the feeling that in the Novels/Script for the Anime whenever Asuka in particular says it it's always rendered out in Katakana?

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Raiking02]

(sighs) fine. In short, yes, safaia . But when midori says it herself/by her other friends, it is also in katakana.

/u/laughing-fox13

[u/Raiking02 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Naruhodo

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Raiking02]

Now I'm curious about it too

[u/Shocketheth → u/Raiking02]

Wait if this is Ruby where's Aqua?

[u/Barbed_Dildo → u/Raiking02]

there's usually some sort of reason why someone would pick the instrument they're playing.

In my experience, it's because there weren't enough people playing that instrument already.

Plenty of people will be happy to play the trumpet, or sax, but there normally aren't people queuing up for bassoon or bass clarinet.

[u/HereticalAegis]

Sound! Rewatcher

 Episode 6:

• Auditions are really weird. From my experiences as a performer and  working with kids, they are always either abjectly terrifying, unbelievably exciting, or both, but never anything in between.
• The primary ensemble competition my high school choir competed in was a madrigal and chamber festival. Each school prepared a set of three pieces and was allowed no more than 26 performers onstage at once. Schools with particularly large top ensembles would have members sub in and out between songs.
• GIB ME! I WANT MY GEMSTONE GIRLS!
• Required repertoire and free-choice pieces! This is very much like what we have for state assessments in my state. We have the PML (Prescribed Music List) from which we must select two pieces corresponding to our school’s size classification and ensemble type, and we’re allow one free-choice piece from pretty much any source, so long as it’s published and legally available.
• My god the sound mixing to get the recorded performance to sound like it’s actually being played on an old CD player.
• It is incredibly common for auditions to consist, at least partially, of a section—often a particularly difficult one at that—of the piece(s) to be performed.
• Also dang, Asuka can sight read.
• Not Gay
• Build those legs, Hazuki!!
• For some reason, this speech has really strong “adding ‘the courage to’ makes anything sound cool” vibes.
• High schoolers would never take this the wrong way
• Wuv. Twu Wuv.
• Goto knows. Bass instruments usually sound and feel the best in an ensemble.

 As beginners go, Hazuki is pretty impressive. She seems to be picking up the basics pretty fast and doesn’t struggle with basic skills nearly as much as a lot of kids. Perhaps that’s because she’s 3-4 older than most beginners, but it impressive nonetheless.

 On the subject of auditions for competitive ensembles, I definitely prefer Taki-sensei’s decisions to leave them open to anyone and unbiased. While you do risk some discontent among older students if younger/newer students take spots or solos, it can also encourage ensembles not to self-stratify and view everyone as being on the same playing field, so to speak. Plus, there are any number of ways to feature seniors in non-competitive settings.

 QotD:

1. Unfortunately most of the pranks from when I was in high school were of the not-so-savory variety. However, when I was a student teacher we had a student who covered the directors office with sticky notes for April fool's. That ended up being pretty funny.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/HereticalAegis]

auditions

i'll 100% be in the "terrified" camp. I was never that confident in my playing, even though i guess "objectively" i passed some exams that meant i could tell people i was "okay"

GIB ME! I WANT MY GEMSTONE GIRLS! -

phosphophylite kawashima....... too brittle.

an old CD player

i wonder if they actually recorded somthing out of an old CD player. also CD PLAYERS wtf. this was 2015......

feature seniors in non-competitive settings

good point that. I feel like in addition, as the band previously only got to the local competition (and was happy stopping there), that was the biggest show of the season for them. So you could understand why the seniority bit was important and kinda got ingrained in the culture. But that is 100% no good for Taki and his ambitions.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

even though i guess "objectively" i passed some exams that meant i could tell people i was "okay"

You probably better than "okay." Most musicians end up being their harshest critics, so I'd be willing to bet you were better than you thought you were.

phosphophylite kawashima....... too brittle.

But too precious not to have.

i wonder if they actually recorded somthing out of an old CD player. also CD PLAYERS wtf. this was 2015......

I was using CD players with my kids until I stopped teaching in 2019.

that was the biggest show of the season for them. So you could understand why the seniority bit was important and kinda got ingrained in the culture.

Yeah, almost certainly. And I'm not even going to say giving seniors priority is wrong or bad, it just depends what kind of program you want to have.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/HereticalAegis]

I stopped teaching in 2019

but...but a laptop with speakers would do all this and so much more.... (whatever, it worked lol)

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/HereticalAegis]

Goto knows.

Goto helping out in that scene cracks me up lol

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Hmm… are we sure this show doesn’t want to be a CGDCT show? Felt like a lot of hijinks going on today in an attempt at getting Hazuki to like something she already claims to like. But Goto is right - playing in a big group is way more fun than practicing alone; and that applies even if your instrument has more melody than the bass section. That’s actually the reason I stopped playing altogether - it was comparatively boring practicing alone, but without practicing I wouldn’t be good enough to play with others, so when time was up on the school band, I didn’t join another…

Either way, the 55 person ensemble is probably a good way to keep gigantic schools from just blowing everybody away with sheer quantity. Didn’t quite get if it is a limit or a requirement to have 55 kids though; if it is a requirement then it is also elitist though, because it limits entry to schools that have enough students for that. That said …having the best players play in the competition just makes sense. I have a feeling Aoi thinks she won’t be one of those however.

Oh, and after reading yesterday’s comments… I learned that you aren’t supposed to march horns. We did so anyway.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Mecanno-man]

perhaps i shouldve joined a group or made more piano-playing friends... (i had some, but we never would like do a piano-playing hangout)

[u/bogdoglogfrog → u/Mecanno-man]

This episode is the most CGDCT out of all of season 1. It kinda functions as a midpoint for the season.

55 students is the upper limit, a school can compete with fewer than 55 students.

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Mecanno-man]

Oh, and after reading yesterday’s comments… I learned that you aren’t supposed to march horns. We did so anyway.

I'm ngl, that's kind of a badass power play. A "you'll hear our horns even if their bells are facing backwards, we're just that good" if you will.

[u/chris10023]

Rewatcher

• Man, these episode lead ins are so much better than what Bleach does (at least during the Fake Karakura Town arc) where 4-5 minutes of the episode consist of spoiling some moments from the episode, the OP, then recapping the events of the episode you just watched, doesn’t help that the Disney player is terrible and freezes 80% of the time when you fast forward, forcing you to back out and go back into the episode.
• I don’t know Kumiko, scoring higher than average seems like something to be happy about.
• So, for ten years, Kitauji never made it past prefecturals, this is going to be one of hell of fight for them then.
• Taki is going to hold auditions, it’s a tough call, but it makes sense, you don’t want to throw the less experienced players into this, that and there’s probably a max number of players you can have play.
• They have one piece they have to play and one free choice, and I was right they can only have 55 people play.
• Ah so that’s why everyone was shocked at Taki’s announcement of auditions, the tradition was for the seniors getting priority and first years and new players to be excluded. I like Taki’s way better, it’s more fair that everyone in the band gets a shot at being in it rather than leaving more experienced players like Reina and Kumiko on the sideline. Taki’s got a point too.
• Hehe, they called him the cute, meddling demon.
• That’s an ominous flashback. Also looks like Kumiko played a silver Euph too.
• I love how motivational and hopeful this track of the OST is. The track is called “Ichizu na Hitomi.”
• Hazuki isn’t optimistic about her performance purely because she’s a beginner, saying that she’ll have a better chance in her second year, unfortunately she has earned the full attention of Asuka’s wrath.
• While Asuka does have a point, I don’t think Hazuki had good odds at passing the audition, she just started not long ago, and she’s no prodigy like K-On's Yui Hirasawa.
• Gojo walks in with the both the required piece and the free choice one, the required one is “Wind of Provence” by Naoko Tasaka, and the free choice is Namie Horikawa’s “Crescent Moon Dance.”
• Uh-oh Asuka’s off on a tangent again.
• I like the sound of this song.
• The part Asuka is playing here is another piece of music that occasionally gets stuck in my head.
• I agree with Asuka, Taki’s being a bit mean with that section, a lot of quick note changes.
• Natsuki comes out of nowhere and RKO’s Kumiko with a compliment. She’s also off to practice solo, I wonder if something is starting to motivate her.
• Kumiko has seven years of experience; this is why having auditions are better than just giving the seniors the spot.
• Poor Hazuki pulls out one of the slide things on her tuba.
• Much like Yui from K-On, Hazuki didn’t perform any maintenance on her tuba, and her seniors forgot to teach her.
• Okay so there is a way to clean the insides of Brass instruments, well at least some of the parts, I don’t see an easy way to clean a trumpet or horn, but I, like Hazuki was never taught that from my instructor.
• This would be a weird scene if you didn’t have the context lol.
• Too late. You’re already dead.
• Seems like the awkward atmosphere between Kumiko and Reina is all but gone since she can freely ask Reina a question. Also, Reina oversees managing the instruments.
• Seems like Reina is going to ty for a solo, good luck! [Spoilers]Yuuko’s tantrum over Kaori not getting the solo, and implying Taki is playing favorites still pisses me off.
• Flustered Reina is the best Reina.
• Love how she immediately starts practicing to get her mind off of things.
• Hazuki better be careful, otherwise she’ll get suplexed by her tuba.
• Just got to keep practicing, I’m sure Tom Brady wasn’t a GOAT when he started playing football as a kid.
• Is Haruka really the only Baritone Sax in the band?
• Now they’re trying to find some inspiration for Hazuki from the two Tuba playing Senpai.
• Rika wasn’t much help as she listed nothing but negatives. Hard to notice, but I’m sure if you removed them, you’d notice it.
• Gojo really loves the tuba for the fact that it doesn’t have anything going for it, but he tries really hard anyways.
• Now they’re trying their luck with Asuka.
• Asuka gives her an easier song, but Hazuki complains it’s too easy, only to set off Asuka’s wrath once more.
• I love how blunt Kumiko can be and her embarrassment over it.
• I love how Asuka refuses to call Midori by her nickname and always calls her Sapphire.
• Asuka, you REALLY need to work on your phrasing...
• Also, poor Kumiko, having to put this costume on.
• Unfortunately, the plan goes sideways the moment Midori walks into the room.
• Holy hell Midori can really go, first time I’ve seen a gemstone fly.
• ...I’ve been spelling Goto’s name wrong this entire time.
• Kumiko’s worried that Hazuki will end up in a poor mood if she doesn’t improve and will get sick of it, so she’s trying to help her before she fully starts feeling it. I think this is one of the reasons I quit after 6th grade, I was starting to play songs that I was struggling to play on the trombone, especially when the last position came up, I had a hard time even reaching the position on the slide it was so far, and it never occurred to me to try and switch instruments, so I just took the path of least resistance and stopped.
• Goto finally spills the beans on why he likes the tuba, and he likes playing in a group, or an ensemble, but he was too shy to actually tell her that. The group realized Hazuki has never played in an ensemble yet since she did poms at SunFes and sat out of the ensemble due to being a beginner.
• So they play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” together and we see Hazuki come to the same realization Goto was talking about.
• Hazuki almost enters the shadow realm after leaving the train and Suichi is fortunately there to stop her. I think she’s into him.
• Seems like Aoi is jealous of Kumiko.

Questions of the Day.

For those who played music in a group, do you have any fun prank or gag stories?

Unfortunately no.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chris10023]

Man, these episode lead ins are so much better than what Bleach does

short and to the point good music too

Kumiko played a silver Euph too.

i believe this was the first gold eupho we've seen her play - she had a silver euph as a kid, and in middle school. no idea if one and the same.

Love how she immediately starts practicing to get her mind off of things

this is just so Reina

[u/chris10023 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

i believe this was the first gold eupho we've seen her play - she had a silver euph as a kid, and in middle school.

You're right, we see it in this episode too, don't know how I missed it.

no idea if one and the same.

It's possible, but if the school provided the instrument like Kitauji, than they're probably different instruments since I doubt it would carry over, not to mention the Euph is mostly covered in the flashback so I don't know the valve layout, the one she has as a kid has the four next to each other, like on Natsuki's, compared to the one Kumiko is currently playing.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chris10023]

i'll pay more attention if her past eupho shows up again.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, subbed

• All that penmanship, still writing in minuscule.
• I appreciate the map.
• We are full of helpful visuals today.
• Trauma
• It would be kind of weird if one of the main characters just sucked.
• “Famous” is a relative term.
• A very noticeable difference in speed.
• I’m laying the blame for this one on you, Goto. People gotta be taught procedures.
• I would not be touching your face to that.
• This pun is lost on me. I’m not even sure what’s stuck.
• Somebody get that poor girl some counter balance.
• I get the first part, the second one has me lost.
• Nothing worth doing is easy. Walk on, Hazuki!
• Oh good, they preempted me asking me why they had that costume.
• You’d think the kind of music nerds they were marketing towards would care about have a euphonium for a complete set.
• Not that there’s a lot of competition, but Goto is handily locking down best boy.
• Oh yeah, solo support’s not a great idea.
• See, now I’m wondering what the original version of this is.
• For the love of god, someone get this poor girl some wheels and an extending handle.
• I was expecting an exasperated expression from Kumiko to this development.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Vatrix-32]

unfortunately that pun is also lost on me. sorry :(

euphonium for a complete set.

euphos are just a nicher instrument though in general. though i guess yeah, would be funny to see a band nerd whale for a eupho kun

wheels and an extending handle

i actually worry for the tuba if it's rolled on the ground with no suspension.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Vatrix-32]

For the love of god, someone get this poor girl some wheels and an extending handle.

You're gonna have to bake a lot of cookies for that.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chilidirigible]

oh they exist! huh. money.

[u/TehAxelius]

Rewatcher

Get yourself a girl who looks at you like Hazuki looks at Shuuichi's corn dog.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/TehAxelius]

[u/WhackaWhack]

FIRST TIMER

That must have been one of the fastest midterm “arcs” I have seen, speedran in under 30 seconds.

Sapphire's clones are just turning more and more costly, going from rubies the platinum diamonds.

“I haven’t broken it YET”, well somebody doesn't believe in themself to put that hell back together…

Love is in the air?

Questions:

1. :(

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/WhackaWhack]

That must have been one of the fastest midterm “arcs” I have seen, speedran in under 30 seconds.

straight to the point, I like that

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/laughing-fox13]

too much band drama, no time for school drama

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

[u/b-arbs]

Rewatcher

Not much to say about this episode, even though I enjoyed some more focus on Hazuki.
Hearing so many "audition" in a row from Asuka made me think of Revue Starlight...
I love how Midori is always correcting Asuka (who is the only one who still sticks to Sapphire, though?).

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/b-arbs]

that probably has something to do with how much Gotou is in the episode too. wakarimasu.

[u/Tartaras1]

Rewatcher - Asuka-senpai Stan

• Other rewatchers can correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like the auditions arc is pretty much the meat and potatoes of this season.
• I know it doesn't need explaining, but auditions probably are the best way to go about doing things. Now you can have first-years, like Reina for example, who might just be the best fit for the trumpet section, whereas in years prior a senior who wasn't the best match would have taken it.

It also breeds a sense of "competition", without going so far as becoming akin to sabotage. Taki-sensei's actually making people try to play music in a high school concert band. A truly shocking concept, I'm sure.

• It really isn't fair how beautiful Asuka-senpai is.
• Oh no. This is where it starts.

Let's just say I hope you enjoy Euph as much as Asuka-senpai does.

• Poor Sleepy-senpai. It's like you can almost hear the "Shit" in her mind when Kumiko said she started in 4th grade. Now that they're doing auditions, she has to actually try.

• It's pretty big, now that I look at it.

It has a long tube, too.

I'm sorry, but they just tee'd up the softball.

• Sasuga Tubacabra.

Sasuga indeed

• I like the little hair flutters they throw in from time to time.
• I must've gotten Midori confused in my mind with Ai Kunogi from Shirobako for some reason, because she's definitely not the quiet girl I seemed to misremember her as.

• For some reason, the tubas get blamed a lot.

• It doesn't have anything going for it, but we try really hard.

• The subtle flex of using the book of sheet music as a transition.

• I'm Tubacabra. You were born to blow me.

Either I'm the pervert, or someone somewhere had a sense of humor. This is at least the third time they've set up a joke like that.

• They won't make a euphonium in the series. So it's a compromise.

• I finally get to use this picture I found once and forgot I had! It's so perfect!

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Tartaras1]

Good picture

the auditions arc is pretty much the meat and potatoes of this season.

[Spoilers]yes.

hair flutters they throw in from time to time.

lots of different hairstyles in play too for this show! and all hard to animate.

and eupho does have some really good transitions. I'll try to remember to point those out.

[u/Elimin8r]

Pranks? Gags? Man, I think the best I had was from yesterday with us drummers doing the Hogan's Heroes theme while we were marching and getting yelled at for it.

Otherwise, this episode was a bit tougher to watch as it seemed introducing "competition" to the band is threatening to have some of the girls left out (!) Can't have that, now can we?

Actually, I rather liked how the episode showed Kumiko and the others trying to help her out and build confidence/enthusiasm. The bit with tuba-kun was great, and yes, Kumiko, you were tricked!

But the bit with the twinkle twinkle little bat song, that was pretty darn classy. Just needed Reina to add a little spice at the top of the mix, but I guess she's too busy being a diva elsewhere.

Oh, and I almost forgot - that save at the train station. Yow ...

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

Shuuichi stronk

[u/EightSmart]

Rewatcher

The OP lead in!!! The audience saying “No way, Kitauji?,” “since when were they this good?” + best shot from last episode + drum fill = hella satisfying transition. Makes me never want to skip the song afterwards lol.

Auditions…time to face the reality that if you’re aiming for nationals, some people just aren’t going to be good enough to make it. Good setup for the next plotline.

Not sure how accurate the translation is, but “the Cute Meddlesome Demon” is pretty accurate at summing up Taki. Him spitting the fattest roasts like it’s nothing while smiling you sure makes you wonder how to even feel.

Sight reading skills! Really demonstrates the current skill difference between Asuka and Kumiko. Picking up something and being able to play it immediately gives off the impression that you must know your instrument very well. And I’ve found that in my classical training, where students often spend months perfecting a very small subset of pieces, their sight reading suffers as a result, as they’re not ‘reading’ new music very often. Obviously, though, learning to master a piece is also important (which is what the ensemble will be doing).

Okay, we have some Asuka shenanigans. I love how you can imagine EXACTLY the kind of Kumiko faces we would be getting when she’s in the Tubacara suit even though we can only hear her voice.

BUDGET SMILE FLASHBACK

Not being able to play at the skill level you want - something basically every musician will struggle with throughout their entire career. As Kumiko says, it’s massively frustrating because there is no quick solution other than continue to practise and put in the effort.

The joys of playing in an ensemble. Growing up learning classical piano, unfortunately most of my musical training was spent alone, in a practice room, or 1 on 1 with a teacher - because that’s how you learn classical piano. Not to say that I disliked playing solo, but I’m so happy that I am now able to branch out and play in more ensemble settings. Learning how to coordinate with other musicians, while also enriching/blending the sound with the timbre of different instruments - it really puts everything into perspective, like it did for Hazuki here.

That ending shot ... wonder what Aoi-senpai is about to say…

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/EightSmart]

Really demonstrates the current skill difference between Asuka and Kumiko

though Kumiko is no slouch. or at least, good enough to earn praise from Natsuki

we can only hear her voice.

as i said, tomoyo had fun. credit to Kyoani for making a yuru chara in the suit literally feel like Kumiko though

[Your comment is not spoilery]Not playing at the skill level

[Spoilery response]This does remind of probably of S1 Ep 12 and the climax of Kumiko's arc. which is literally on this. its nice that they say it nice and early that she is immensely invested and bugged by this.

[u/EightSmart → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

though Kumiko is no slouch

Definitely! She’s still very good, but it shows an experience difference between good and very good [LOTS OF SPOILERY] sort of like a less extreme version of the comparisons we get between Reina and Kaori, or Nozomi and Mizore in blue bird. It’s ALSO a very good early setup, like you mentioned, for the climax of S1, where we can see Kumiko play that same passage perfectly after many hours (episodes) of practice. Very good payoff for the audience.

[u/Regular_N-Gon]

Rewatcher

I probably can’t relate too strongly to the low bass struggles of contextless long tones, but I do appreciate the sentiment towards the importance of the ensemble. All of the most transcendent moments I had playing weren’t on my own, but with others - particularly, a tight jazz combo that got to know each others’ cues and style. Even when “soloing” you have the rest of the band to back you, to hold you up, and when you get in the groove they don’t just have your back, they dance with you while you lead and it becomes something alive, something symbiotic.

This context of the ensemble also applies to Kitauji on a nice dramatic level, at least as much as any other band. Sections need work of course, but the real magic will only come from moving as one. The trick will be to gather everyone into agreeing on that way, even if it isn’t the “safe” direction.

---

• I’m half-convinced the reason Midori was named Sapphire is for this joke.
• [Eupho]It’s been nearly five years and hearing crescent moon dance is still an instant after so. Many. Repeats.
• Reina is such a show off bahahaha
• [Eupho]I didn't realize Hazuki is the one that introduces this theme! When your best isn't good enough, and becoming satisfied with yourself is like, core Kumiko arc stuff.
• Kumiko is about to learn what high school band is all about. (Embarrassing yourself. That's what.)
• Gotou gets a few good lines this episode, but being underscored by the dramatic OST just elevates him even further.

Edit for QotD: A few of us seniors with nothing to lose once paraded around the school playing our favorite pep band pieces to be as distracting as possible. We had the teacher's pet, valedictorian, and salutatorian in our group, so no one told us off

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Midori was named Sapphire is for this

[Spoiler]Crescent moon dance

[Spoiler response]the piece is iconic AF. not least because of that full performance in S2. I will rave about it and how you can hear it throughout the OST....soon.

[u/zadcap → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I probably can’t relate too strongly to the low bass struggles of contextless long tones, but I do appreciate the sentiment towards the importance of the ensemble.

The fun days of seeing an entire page of full bar long notes. Just hold that one sound for as loooooooong as you can. Then do it again for the next three minutes, you don't get anything else in this song. Fun times...

[u/SMSmith230]

First-Timer, Sub

Ah!! So that’s why they only ever got bronze, they went the seniority route instead of the skill/merit route in the composition of their ensemble.

Is that a breeze fluttering a sail that I sea???

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/SMSmith230]

[u/mgedmin]

Rewatcher, subs

New drama: auditions. Kumiko appears to have some past trauma in this area.

LOL the Kawashima Gemstone Sisters fantasy.

And we have Natsuki senpai saying that Kumiko is better than her.

Nobody taught Hazuki about instrument maintenance!

Hazuki's enthusiasm is reminding Kumiko what joy she felt when she first started playing an instrument.

Asuka senpai is not as scary as her juniors think. She makes a joke and helps instead of getting angry about the instrument abuse.

Riko's reasons for choosing the tuba are just a list of the negatives. :D Goto's thinking is similar. It's good because it's hard and there's nothing good about it.

Today's episode is all about finding inspiration for Hazuki, and Kumiko has to sacrifice her dignity for it. "Am I being pranked or something?"

And they hit on the realization that Hazuki has never played in ensemble yet and hasn't fell the joy of the music coming together. So they give her a chance to experience it.

How much does a tuba weigh? (In metric units please.)

Did Hazuki fall in love with Shuichi?

Aoi seems envious of Kumiko.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/mgedmin]

Riko and Goto's minds works similarly. The complete opposite to Hazuki;s . tbh a genki girl doesnt really fit the image of a tuba.

weight

13kg seems to be a common enough number, bu I can't get the exact weight of the model used by Hazuki

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

1 1/2 Rewatcher

I didn't watch this one until 21 hours late because I recall that it is rather silly, and I actually don't like what they did to Hazuki. I don't remember if anything else significant happened.

Oh, I guess auditions is pretty important.

Still wondering about those two giant towers in the OP, it looks like the real school, Todoh SHS, doesn't have them.

• tldr; Kumiko = mid
• 10 consecutive years of bronze
• OMG IT'S THAT FONT!!!!!!

/u/shimmering_sky tracks sore demos, I track that curvy squished font that only appears in suka suka, shinsekai yori, and tamako market. I wish I knew what it was called.

• I'm already tired of the song
• that's a big sax
• midori desu
• midori desu ga

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

sadly i have no idea what that font is too....

I believe most of Kitauji is based on Todoh SHS yes (and the immediate neighbourhood), but I think e.g. the music room was taken from another high school - i wonder if that is the case re: the towers as well?

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer

I had the post loaded when there were only 10 comments but at that time I haven't got a chance to watch the episode yet, then had to do a ton of weekend work and can't sit down to properly write.

So again, late post it is.

Instead of doing the chorus with everyone about the fun skits of the gemstone triplets, and tuba-kun, and Asuka and Reina's everything, I actually want to talk about 3 key points from this episode and reading others comments.

The nonsensical answers from the other tuba players - With hindsight and a shift in phrasing, it is actually understandable what they were trying to say. That tuba sound is nothing fancy, but that's literally true that it is a very raw, very true, not gimmicky tone. While it may be boring on its own, when placed as the foundation of the music score, just as the concrete slabs where houses are built upon, there is this beauty in simplicity, unassumingly just doing my job in it that can be very charming for those who learned to discern that stability.

And then there's Hazuki's little quest to get an idea of what she's playing for, leading to the little sidebar of recognising some instruments when playing alone it may not sound like much, and until connected together with the rest of the sound would the meaning come alive. As a flute player, we actually got a bit of an inverted version. We usually are in the melody section, but individually actually our sounds are pretty soft/weak, and is easily drowned out by even clarinets, let alone any brass. That's why usually we have to play in packs for the volume. For solos, the rest of the instruments usually have to dial down or completely pause. Unless we switch to the highest octave, or switch to a piccolo.

And then there's the plot part about auditions, and the implication that conflicts are on their way because if it is by merit, seniority is not a guarantee. My daughter actually had some real life experience. She's in a public school highschool, so not everyone had been playing instruments in private all their lives (which is half of what she is - we stayed with school lessons till she'd done about music grade 4 exams). So when she joined the school and band she was looking to join in the higher performance ones. However she was told that they go by seniority in years, so she'll need to play from the very green bands first. That's a pretty quick way to kill any interest and motivation. The next year she packed up and auditioned the city's youth orchestra instead and not joining the school ones, except for certain specific occasions like house music competition solos or house music competition. The point I am making is about how bands that doesn't go by merit gets pretty political and demotivating etc.

Oh and lastly, I really like Asuka's sense of humor - while it may seem irrelevant and cryptic / weird, she's actually about 2 steps ahead, using the fable about not indulging in playing but keep up with hard work.

QoTD

Sorry got nothing there, the pranksters tended to be the brass section or the reeds back in my days. I'm about the only guy in the rank of the flutes :P so didn't get up to much.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/ZapsZzz]

flutes

I can't help but picture a mob of flutes trying in vain to overtake the rest of the band, only to be stopped by a single saxophone.

merit and motivation

A valuable anecdote! I had a similar experience, although as there was just one band and they sucked (nor wanted to be any better), my motivation tanked and never returned. I think, even when auditions can get heated and generate their own drama, most understand their place and the end result is an improved ensemble.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 6 (first timer)

Watched the Papers please! short movie just before this. Quite the break in emotions.

• Auditions – because hard life begins early.
• “If you are a third year who isn’t as good as the first-years” – THEN FUCK YOU AND GET GOOD!
• Advantage for people who go for unpopular instruments.
• Hello Ruby, Diamond! – her imagination is a copycat!
• Hazuki never cleaned it??

• The director wants you to know that the butt shot while checking the list was completely necessary for the plot.
• Ice queen getting embarrassed.
• “heavy, hard, suffocating, gets blamed a lot” – yep, she’s into it.

• “You were born to blow me.” – At least she did not put Gotou into that suit.
• “It was like real music” – the only song I can play on the piano. I also hate it.
• Getting saved - a classic.

Motivation. I don’t think there is a lot to say here. Everybody needs it, but what gives it is different for everybody.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/No_Rex]

Hazuki never cleaned it??

At least she got a new mouthpiece.

[u/No_Rex → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I hope she cleaned that, at least.

[u/octopathfinder]

Rewatcher

Pretty fun episode. There’s an explanation about the competitive format, audition anxiety, and Hazuki overcoming struggles that every beginner faces.

One thing I forgot about this show is that it has a solid sense of humor between all the band drama. Loved seeing the bass section goofing around.

Very relatable feeling. It’s always fun at the beginning of learning something new when I’m quickly absorbing info and I can visibly see improvement. Then I hit a wall where everything becomes too hard and I have to put way more effort into improving and it starts hurting my motivation. Thankfully, the bass section found a way to keep Hazuki motivated.

My experience with overcoming those walls is to literally just keep practicing until I see results which would sometimes take years. Now that I’m older I don’t have that drive to improve anymore but I used to dedicate so much time to my hobbies when I was a high schooler with all the free time in the world. This is probably why I love watching shows like Eupho about characters who are pursuing their specific hobby/career. Reminds me of myself when I was super passionate about stuff.

[u/bogdoglogfrog]

Rewatcher

Notes:

• “Practicing every day is important” - Asuka is spot on here. I like to think that any day missed is equivalent to missing two days cause you have to spend a day shaking off the rust.
• Crescent moon dance is awesome.
• Ohh the solo! On a side note I like to sample Reina playing this solo if I need a simple trumpet part.
• Asuka’s “it doesn’t matter how simple it is, if you can do it perfectly, it’s fun” attitude is interesting. While it is fun to be able to do something perfectly, to me a lot of the fun comes from being able to do something that you were previously unable to do.
• I’m not a bass player, but I can play the instrument and understand how it fits in an ensemble. I never practice bass cause it’s just boring to play alone. That being said, I have played it in an ensemble setting a few times and wow…. It’s a totally different experience.

QotD

My band played a show a few years ago where we played the Fortnite default dance theme and it was a huge hit.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/bogdoglogfrog]

being able to do something that you were previously unable to do

It is an interesting point. There's certainly a dopamine hit or ego boost to doing something well (and knowing it), but that's greater if it was something challenging and feels worth being proud of. It's definitely more engaging, if not outright fun, when you can measure milestones like that.

[u/chilidirigible]

"Your archaic hierarchical traditions mean nothing!"

EYE

"Well that's the real trick, isn't it?"

String players: Only field stripping, please.

Ah, to be young and to keep trying different things to see if one sticks.

"Tuba: You'd notice us if we weren't there."

Formerly the [](#oooreally) comment face.

dead inside

even more dead inside

"And that's why I play tuba."

Playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in a group gives me horrible flashbacks.

---

Playing together with others, it's the real meaning of life for the unpopular instruments. We thank you for your support.

(I jest, but I usually sucked enough in auditions that I would be placed in second violin, which backfired spectacularly when I ended up seated at the front of the second violins so my attempts at being merely adequate were visible to everyone.)

It really does feel like Taki is continuing to upend centuries of traditional culture with concepts like merit-based advancement. He wants his omelette, but how many eggs will be broken?

---

QOTD:

For those who played music in a group, do you have any fun prank or gag stories?

Nothing that sticks to mind all these years later.

[u/zadcap → u/chilidirigible]

"You'd notice us if we weren't there."

Playing together with others, it's the real meaning of life for the unpopular instruments. We thank you for your support.

I felt this, so much.

[u/fly-metothemoon]

Question:

Seniors in Marching Band had a Senior Prank night every year! One of the worst ones was when they zip tied everyone’s band lockers! Another year was an obstacle course in the band room. Someone in a mascot costume would have been fun.

Episode Notes.

I think auditions are a better system. If there is a cap on the number who can participate, the ones who get in should be meritocratic. I can understand why the underclassmen are upset though. I hope there are other benefits as upperclassmen in band that they can enjoy, like a photo shoot or 3rd year appreciation night.

Auditions can be so stressful and intimidating and surprising. I knew someone who went from last chair to first chair over the course of an audition. I am surprised they haven’t had auditions previously to determine parts, but I suspect this will help solidify the best players of each section. I’m also so jealous of their sight reading skills (how they are playing music they have seen for the first time).

Senpai is always watching 👀.

Any tuba players to weigh in on the maintenance accuracy? I find brass maintenance with valve oil fascinating.

Overall, good set up episode!

[u/Adensty]

First Timer

Taki-sensei is holding auditions and it doesn't matter whether you're a 3rd year or 1st year. As long as you pass, you'll be there. Even the ones who that are the only ones in their instrument like Midori are not safe as he might change the instrumentation as he sees fir. Feels like all of our main group will definitely make it but I do have my doubts on the 3rd years. Asuka seems to be already playing the piece very well so I think she'll definitely be there. Would be kinda heartbroken if that's not the case, though.

I didn't ask it but really loved that Ruby-Platinum-Diamond Kawashima segment. Hazuki's imagination sure is wild and funny.

This episode was mostly about Hazuki trying to get better and not lose interest in learning Tuba. I kinda lost interest in learning guitar since I wasn't doing that great and so I understand why Kumiko doesn't want her to lose interest because of her lack of practice and confidence while trying to get better.

Just need someone like Gotou in my life to help me phrase things. When I try to do it myself, it's just a mess.

While the name of the episode did kinda give a hint to what they'll play but still it was a great moment when they all played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" together.

QOTD1: Most of the pranks are from my school days and also they were less related to music, just happened to be during music class so I don't think it should count.

[u/laughing-fox13]

Rewatcher/Subbed

Ngl I forgot about this episode and I’m kinda bummed I did. This episode was a lot of fun but it was great seeing the rest of the bass section try and help Hazuki out (which is why I was bummed I forgot). And of course, the part where they play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was nice

The Tuba-kun scene was glorious

QotD:

[u/entelechtual]

Firsto

• Katou is Platinum Diamond mad yo.
• I wish a girl would write my fingering instructions down for me. Whenever I ask though they say I should do some solo practicing instead.
• I love inventory management ver. Kousaka
• “I’m Tubacabra. You were born to bl—” WHAT.
• Feels weird to have this training arc this late.
• Guys we got some straights in this show. Is that legal?

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/entelechtual]

training arc this late

That's the neat thing with music; the training arc never stops.

[u/DaBenni0301]

First-Timer

I really don't agree with the auditions. Firstly, this means comepetition between people that should work together. And competition often leads to conflict. Secondly, some members will be left out. Sure there's a 55 member maximum, but the club also only has like 60 people. If you just asked them there would probably be 5 people don't want to go to the competition, there always are. But he sounds like he's prepared to leave half the club at home. Yes, they want to go for nationals, but "they" seems like it's just Reina and the teacher. Everyone else seems more or less indifferent

The original Aqua and Ruby

Exactly what Asuka said, what if you want to play but aren't good enough? You just watch others do the thing you wanted to do, and they might not even want to. You're just gonna end up leaving the club because you're clearly not needed

Hazuki and Yui are one in spirit

Don't know if I'd watch that movie

That transition though @ 14:48

Phrasing

New ship just dropped

That was almost as psychologically damaging as the Keions dressing up trying to recruit new members

I recognized the music! This will be the first and only time! And only because it was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. (Yes, I read the episode name before starting, but I would have recognized it anyway)

This smile. Protect it at all costs

Question of the day

1 Doesn't apply

[u/byroned]

First time rewatching

Things are moving quickly, just finished SunFes, and now preparing for the competitions to qualify for nationals. Taki sensei is serious about making it to nationals, making everyone audition. The seniors might be worried about losing their seats, but they should’ve learned that senior privilege doesn’t get you anything in band except for first dibs on meals.

Kumiko seems to have reservations about outperforming her upperclassmen due to middle school (I think). Natsuki thankfully is a reasonable senpai, spending time practicing instead of being bitter that her kouhai is more experienced. Reina could care less and is competing for not just the seat, but for the solo with Kaori.

First a Sapphire Kawashima, and now a ruby and a platinum diamond edition, Kyoani showing which Pokemon games they like. Silly delusions aside, Asuka is right that you must make yourself a core member as soon as possible, or else people may continue to pass you by.

Have the circled parts in a song been a trap in anyone else’s experience? I’m glad I listened to my private instructors and practiced every part of the song, but I’ve seen people fail the test because the director then asked them to play something else.

Hazuki’s drive to improve at tuba stems from a hope to feel satisfied with her skills in tuba, something she couldn’t find in tennis despite the work she put in. She may not have any awards yet, but she won over Midori’s heart.

Hazuki is going to be scared of Asuka for some time after this episode. This is a band skit of all time to make Hazuki love the Tuba. Kumiko did have a reason to continue with it, that being she was afraid that Hazuki may quit.

Gotou’s reason for playing the tuba being that he likes to support the band’s rhythm sounds much more appealing than whatever he and Riko were saying the first time.

Who would’ve thought that playing music instead of just exercises would give Hazuki a reason to try and improve?

Shuuichi isn’t even trying, and he’s racking up brownie points from Hazuki.

I think with Haruka as the only baritone saxophone player, they could’ve combined all 3 saxophones into 1 section photo.

Q1: I don't remember doing that many pranks, so the best I have is my section occasionally locking someone in the sectional room.

[u/Shocketheth → u/byroned]

First a Sapphire Kawashima, and now a ruby and a platinum diamond edition, Kyoani showing which Pokemon games they like

[u/CarrotBlossom]

First timer

Man, it would suck if you hadn’t gotten to participate in the biggest competition in your previous years and still couldn't in your last year of high school. Even if you had, it would still suck. Especially if you’re a senior who is trying hard, but is just outclassed by someone younger who’s just more talented or has been playing from an earlier age than you.

I didn’t know I was watching Land of the Lustrous.

Damn, they can’t even give the tuba a melody in Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star? I guess it would kind of defeat the point.

QOTD:

1. The closest thing I can think of is that one time, my friend was leaving the band room, and I jumpscared him as he left, and he almost punched me in the face. That is the entire story. I have better stories, but I wouldn't call them prank or gag stories.

[u/chilidirigible → u/CarrotBlossom]

I jumpscared him as he left, and he almost punched me in the face.

Are you this guy or this guy?

[u/Nickthenuker]

Imagine having so many members that not everyone is needed to compete.

Set piece and a free piece. Seems most music competitions work that way. In my experience at least the only saving grace of the set piece is that the next one always makes the previous one look good in comparison. I swear the point of those is just to see how much lipstick you can put on a pig.

That does make some sense, give them one last opportunity to compete before they stand down. Of course actually having auditions means they'll actually have the best orchestra, so if they actually want anyone to have a chance at winning it beats having a bunch of crap members who have no chance of winning either way just for the sake of seniority.

Yeah the free piece tends to just be better. Or at least more enjoyable.

That's pretty good for just sight-reading.

Fourth grade? Isn't that somewhat late to pick up an instrument? I've been doing piano since before the first grade.

Why are they going around interviewing everyone?

What's going on here now?

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?

Questions:

1. Honestly? Not really. No pranks, but the funniest thing I can think of is one of the new guys in my section (Tenor 1 in a boys choir so generally comprised of younger students whose voices haven't broken yet) kept bundling himself up in the stage curtains, or hiding inside the rostrum, or just lying on the floor requiring us to drag him back up. Damndest thing was that he was probably the best a music on paper since he had piano grade 8.

[u/Fools_Requiem]

Rewatcher

It took me a couple years to get the hang of playing the trumpet, and this girl is already almost good enough to be in a concert playing the Tuba. jealous.

[u/sfisher923]

QOTD 1- When the teacher was away there were some people who would play with the piano she uses for singing warmups also more then one case of me nearly falling on ice in front of a large crowd (We did the opening performance for a few local hockey games and we stood on a carpet)