TUBA

Tuba History Like the Euphonium, the Tuba can trace its ancestry to the Ophicleide and the Serpent Prussian Patent No. 19 was granted to Wilhelm Wieprecht and Johanna Moritz on September 12, 1835 for a basstuba This forerunner of the tuba used 5 valves Tubas were able to produce a smoother tone than instruments such as the saxhorn and the serpent, this led to the tubas popularity.

Tuba Characteristics Eb/F Tubas are smaller while BBb and CC tubas are much larger Eb/F and CC are commonly used in Orchestras BBb are used in Concert bands Sizing: 3/4 (smaller tuba), 4/4 and 5/4 4/5 Valves Either piston or rotary valves Modern piston valves were developed from the saxhorn family Non-transposing Tubaists learn correct fingering based on the type of tuba

Sousaphone and Contra Used primarily in marching band settings

Playing Position The tuba should rest on the lap or the front of the chair and be stabilized by the left arm. Depending on what type of tuba you have, finger placements will vary. Some will be similar to the baritone while others you must wrap your arm around the instrument. Both the baritone and tuba should be held high enough so that the mouthpiece meets the embouchure without the player bending downwards.