The Bass Section

Now we come to the Engine room of a brass band, "The Basses".

More commonly known as a Tuba, a brass bands bass section is made up of two different kinds of Tubas,

The Eb Bass Tuba and the Bb Bass Tuba.

The Eb Bass tuba is pitched higher than it's grumbly Bb Bass counter part and often takes on a more soloistic role in the section. However, if you can hear a note that growls from the deep, that's a Bb Bass.

Traditionally there are 4 Bass players in a band, two Ebs (1st and 2nd) and two Bbs (1st and 2nd).

Dave Wallis - Eb Bass

Dave would like us to tell you that he’s 21, but we know he’s actually 46. His playing career started at the age of 9 under the instruction of Grimethorpe Colliery’s, Stanley Lippeat. He joined Rockingham in 2012 and has remained with us ever since, becoming one of our core 8 when our rebuild began in 2015.

Outside of the band Dave is a qualified electrician and enjoys cycling and bird watching when he finds the time.

Adrian Rosbottom - Eb Bass

John Grayson - Bb Bass

John started playing Eb Tenor Horn when I was 13 years old and then went on to play G Bass Trombone and Eb Bass with Loxley Methodist Silver band. When he moved to Stannington Brass Band he played on Bb Bass which was to become the instrument which he has played ever since. When he went to help Woodhouse Prize Band out, he met Jeannette, who was playing Flugel Horn with the band. In 1983 they were married. and he has been playing with Woodhouse Band ever since.

Stuart Haigh - Bb Bass

Stuart started playing at 12 with Thurlstone Brass Band and at 17 was the solo EB bass at Hepworth Brass Band!

Stuart has played in 34 bands! His previous bands include Carlton Main, Hepworth, British Steel Stainless, Skelmanthorpe, Warren, Grange Moor, Holme Silver, Hade Edge ,Old Silkstone, Dodworth, SY Police,Strata,Barrow colliery. His hobbies include supping Whisky and Motorcycling, though not at the same time of course!