This is terrific

It is hard to write while holding a tuba. One needs to make a choice.

And then, when you've mastered the tuba, they give you a frickin' Sousaphone and tell you to march and play "Tequila."

With the added benefit that you don't need to ask your neighbours to move away if you want to become a writer! Unless they want to play the tuba.

I became a tuba player because nobody else in band class wanted to play the tuba so I got moved from French Horn to tuba… Sure everyone wanted the trumpet or sax, but nobody loves the tuba…

I would add that you have to read a lot. You can’t learn how to do things with words unless you know what words can do.

I'd also highly recommend Le Guin's The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction.

“Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” - Gene Fowler

As a former professional tuba player I feel recognized

This is kinda bullshit though. I (sadly) don't use rudimentary tuba to help people fix IT problems. And while they often seem to appreciate my (written) emails to that effect I suspect it is not due to my writer skills.

I played baritone horn in HS band one year. It's basically a half-size tuba. Belated apologies to any neighbors from back then.