Questions tagged [tuba]
For questions related to the tuba, the largest and lowest pitched brass instrument. Questions may also include the brass tag.
31 questions
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Tuba BBb troubles
I have found that many notes included in the JW pepper “Star Wars saga” are far too low for me to play.
I understand the need for improving the upper range before the lower and my upper notes have ...
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Why do we call Bb tubas BBb?
Why do we refer to Bb tubas as "BBb", C tubas as "CC" and Eb tubas as "Eb"?
I have parts of this answer, but not the full story. Looking to fill in some gaps.
Before we ...
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In terms of range, what does "eingestrichen" refer to?
I'm trying to read an old handwritten German document from 1835 which describes the range of the newly invented tuba.
It says:
die Bass-Tuba hingegen 4 reine Octaven durch die chromatische Scala, ...
- 1,079
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Is it possible to "add" a rotary fifth valve to a 4-valved tuba?
I am currently playing Wessex TB 692 Grand, which is 4-valved BBb tuba.
I have always cherished a 5-valved BBb, so I wonder if it is possible to add a rotary 5th valve to my Wessex horn..
Is this ...
- 215
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How do I identify the key of a tuba?
I'm trying to identify the key of a tuba in the below picture. I suspect it's either a Bb or a Eb but cannot confirm. I tried to measure and it was approx. just over 16ft (although that may be ...
- 143
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Looking for the age of my tuba
I recently purchased an old tuba from an estate auction. No case, just the tarnished beast and mouth piece. By looking up the serial number on it, I am finding that it was built in 1891. I am doubting ...
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Warm Up Question
If I warmup two hours before a performance and take an hour break, will that have me properly warmed up for my performance or do I need to do a little more RIGHT before my performance?
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Faster Air On Tuba [duplicate]
My tuba teacher tells me to play with faster Air in the high range, but I'm not sure what he means. Every time I use faster air, I inevitably crescendo to a point that's no longer passable in the ...
- 197
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Switching Tubas During Solo
I'm a highschool tuba player and I have a solo performance coming up in a couple days. Unfortunately, my tuba has been in the repair shop for over a month and I just got it back, less than a week ...
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Tuba sheet music: which octave to play? [duplicate]
I learned Tuba on a BBb in North America. Beginner ranges were typically around C2-C3 (below the bass-clef staff to mid-staff) with intermediate stuff rarely reaching C4 (1 ledger line above the ...
- 1,079
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Tuba technique using chords in Dixieland
When one has lost their place in a tune, how can one play a non-specific note sound on the tuba to replace an actual note – to keep the rhythm/tempo going until they find where they are?
I have ...
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Tuba, 4th valve extension?
I use a three valve tuba, but have been playing around with 3d printing an 'extension' to replace the main tuning slide with another valve that could direct the air flow through a longer pipe, just ...
- 103
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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 ...
- 1,079
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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?
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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 ...
- 1,488
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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How to disassemble a tuba for cleaning
When I remove the valves of a piston tuba, do I remove the spring also?
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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? ...
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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?
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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 ...
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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 ...
- 3,874
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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.
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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 ...
- 3,874
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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 ...
- 3,874
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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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