sousaphone

[soo-zuh-fohn, -suh-] /ˈsu zəˌfoʊn, -sə-/
noun
1.
a form of bass tuba, similar to the helicon, used in brass bands.
Origin
1920-25; named after J. P. Sousa; see -phone
Related forms
sousaphonist, noun
British Dictionary definitions for sousaphone

sousaphone

/ˈsuːzəˌfəʊn/
noun
1.
(music) a large tuba that encircles the player's body and has a bell facing forwards
Derived Forms
sousaphonist, noun
Word Origin
C20: named after John Philip Sousa
Word Origin and History for sousaphone
n.

1903, named for U.S. bandleader and composer John Philip Sousa (1854-1932).

The first sousaphone was made by C.G. Conn in 1899 expressly for Sousa's band and its bell opened directly upward. The present bell-front type was first made in 1908. ["International Cyclopedia of Music," 1939]

sousaphone in Culture

sousaphone definition


A kind of tuba that wraps around the player's body so that it can be carried easily while marching.

Note: The sousaphone is named after the bandmaster John Philip Sousa, who suggested building the instrument in this shape.