h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, the article is not well researched, opinionated, and in some instances just plain wrong.

First off, the writer is most likely a trombone player. The trombone was the first instrument mentioned in the article; certain comment(s) are/were made concerning the trombone that could easily be applied to any instrument at all. For instance, the comment "Trombonists are often very protective of their instrument, for it is rather easy to damage" is unnecessary -- can anyone think of any wind or string instrument that is not easy to damage in some way or protected carefully by its owner? Maybe the brake drum... The author also failed to mention the variations on the trombone: the valve trombone, the alto, tenor, bass, and contrabass trombones and the differences one encounters with each, etc.

The baritone/euphonium paragraph fails to make the distinction between the cylindrical bore of the baritone and the conical bore of the euphonium, and that's the least of it's sins. "Such a feat is rather rare due to the fact that no one really cares about it." Can I ask what on earth that is supposed to mean? Also, a baritone and a euphonium can both have up to five valves, depending on the make and model of the instrument; however, it is more common for a euphonium to have four valves, while the baritone usually has three. The bell of the instrument, depending again on the make and model, can be pointed forward or straight up. The term 'ghetto trumpet' is hardly a term widely used or accepted, and the marching baritone is in fact more difficult to carry for a sustained period of time than a standard baritone, due to it's positioning and weight.

Finally, the tuba paragraph (aside from a totally failed attempt at a joke with the "overweight, pimply male" thing) does not even once mention the distinction between -- or even the existence of -- tubas in different keys/sizes. Tubas may also have up to five valves/keys, and the bell may be pointed forward or upward, as in the case of the baritone/euphonium.

In addition, I would suggest the author invest a little more time in his sentence structure and research before he post an article to h2g2.
I DO approve of the subject matter, and hope a better article may come of my complaining. Maybe I'll write one myself...

-TCerqua

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll do more research and try to fix my sins.

I am a baritone player, by the way. I put Trombones first in the article because they seem the most popular and because I am very fond of them.

In the comment about how no one "really cares about [baritones]", I meant that it's simply not a very well known instrument. I have only personally met one other baritone player, and he is the player that taught me.

Thanks again for the comments. I'd be interested in reading anything you write along the lines of the subject matter.

TTFN,
TLAnderson