Tuba

Contents:

Important info:

Played by: Wind & Lip vibrations
Key: Concert Pitch
Clef: Bass
Range:

The tuba is the instrument that fills out the bass end in the brass section. It takes a lot of breath to play this instrument so be cautious when writing long passages. Like any brass instrument the higher the notes get the more difficult it is to play for the performer especially at quite dynamics, the tubas tone also gets weaker and thinner in the higher ranges. As it nears the lower end of its range the tone becomes more fat and rounded. While playing in its mid range, the tuba can be very nimble and agile in quick passages and apposed to the lower notes where slower notes can be controlled easier.

Only one mute is available for the tuba but not very widely used. As you could guess just from the size of the instrument the mutes are big and can’t be placed in the bell very quickly, as the tuba needs to be put down for the mute to be positioned and then picked back up again ready to play. Back to top

Trills are effective when used on the tuba and are operated by the valves in much the same way as the trumpet. Back to top