Music: Practice & Theory

Questions tagged [tuba]

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For questions related to the tuba, the largest and lowest pitched brass instrument. Questions may also include the brass tag.

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8
votes
1answer
599 views

One tuba for everything: CC or F?

I'd like to buy a single tuba which will last the rest of my life. I'm trying to decide on which key: CC, or F. I've only played BBb tubas before, and that was 15 years ago. I want to play ...
3
votes
5answers
319 views

Is it a bad idea to learn tuba and trombone at the same time?

My 12-year-old son's new tuba instructor told us that it was a terrible idea to learn trombone while learning tuba. I am not familiar with the brass instrument. So is there truth to it?
5
votes
3answers
181 views

How should I think when I arrange music for tuba AND electric bass?

I'm arranging a lot of music at the moment, and I find it difficult to combine tuba and electric bass. For most parts, I just make them equal with very few exceptions. For example, I do make them ...
4
votes
1answer
104 views

Trouble playing the tuba on the edge of the seat

I'm currently learning how to play the tuba in school, and I'm finding it extremely difficult to sit at the edge of the seat like I'm supposed to due to the weight of it. If I sit on the edge, I have ...
1
vote
1answer
571 views

Tuba = valved bugle? I thought it was trumpet

Okay I was watching a video about what a tuba is and in the video somebody said that a tuba essentially is a bugle but with valves because of the conical bore and it being a whole tube instrument able ...
4
votes
6answers
4k views

Can an Eb Bass/Tuba play in both treble and bass without changing valve positions?

I'm going to be moving instruments at both Church and School next year. I was playing Baritone and will be moving to Eb Bass/Tuba. At church I will be playing treble clef and at school I will be ...
5
votes
3answers
757 views

How to “bring together the band” when playing tuba?

I have been playing trombone for 1 year but recently my band teacher has been having me learn to play the tuba because we don't have a tuba player yet. He told me that its my job to "bring the band ...
2
votes
2answers
7k views

How to reach the lower notes on a B-flat tuba?

(Please note the following assumes the British brass band convention of transposing to C in treble clef, e.g. when I say C, I really mean B-flat.) I am learning to play the B-flat tuba. The "core ...
0
votes
1answer
529 views

How should tuba valve springs of different size be reassembled?

I finished cleaning my tuba, but I'm not sure where the springs go. I know they go into the valve but they are all different sizes ranging from largest to smallest. Does it matter what order they are ...
5
votes
1answer
168 views

Why are we told to hold keys down while tuning?

While I tune my Tuba, on multiple occasions my sectional coach has called my section out becuase we do not hold down the keys aligned to the tunning slides of the key we are tuning. Is there a reason ...
5
votes
2answers
692 views

How to disassemble a tuba for cleaning

When I remove the valves of a piston tuba, do I remove the spring also?
15
votes
7answers
14k views

Why is it common to write tuba sheet music in concert pitch?

I play E♭ tuba in a wind orchestra, and we always get the notes written in concert pitch, and we have to logically "transpose" to the instrument key on the fly. How common is this approach? ...
7
votes
4answers
712 views

What instrument is this?

I thought it was a tuba, and it sounds like one, but looking around for pictures it seems the tuba is a smaller instrument. Is this an unusual type of tuba, or what?
9
votes
2answers
5k views

Sousaphone for child

My grandson is in love with the Tuba. I wish everyone that loves that instrument could see him. He walks around air playing it all the time. He is a great big Georgia Bulldog fan and especially ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views

What techniques improve general ability to play fast runs on a tuba?

I play Tuba, so I don't have very many fast runs in orchestra arrangements, but there are occasionally small passages that can be challenging. I want to improve my general ability to handle such ...
7
votes
3answers
10k views

How to clean a tuba thoroughly

A tuba is quite large, and can be quite a challenge to clean thoroughly on both inside and outside. I need some good advice on how to do this properly without harming the mechanisms.
4
votes
2answers
541 views

Importance of cleaning a tuba regularly?

I am wondering if a dirty tuba affects sound in a great deal. Not regarding if it shines or not on the outside, but as oil residue etc. build up in the valve canals and stuff like that. The pipes and ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views

What are good techniques to bend notes on brass instruments

I play Eb tuba, and sometimes I come across bending down in my notes - either as an effect at the end of a note, or sometimes as a slide between two notes. I find this difficult to achieve with a good ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views

Finger techniques when playing valve brass instrument

I am playing Eb tuba with 4 valves (4th at my right hand pinky). Usually I have my fingers more or less straight out over the valves, resulting in the tips for all other than the pinky is sticking out ...

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