The Tuba
If the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion are the pieces to a big orchestral puzzle, the tuba is the instrument that holds it all together. Prussian bandmaster Friedrich Wilhelm Wieprecht and German builder Gottfried Moritz patented the tuba in 1835. They wanted to make an instrument that would add bass to the brass section. The tuba is very important because it plays the low notes that nobody else can play and it takes care of a lot of the balance required in bands and orchestras. The tuba's design is similar to a trumpet except it's much larger and is rested on the player's lap. The sousaphone plays the same range as a standard tuba but it wraps around the player. John Phillips Sousa invented the sousaphone. He was famous for writing popular American marches and he invented the instrument so that tuba players could walk and play at the same time. Even though professional tubas are very large, smaller versions are available for students just learning to play.
Why Tuba?
A good tuba player is the foundation to a good group. A lot of people
think that the tuba is hard to learn because it's so big, but that's
not really true. Like most wind instruments, the tuba requires a lot of
breath support but it's not any harder than smaller instruments.
How does the Tuba contribute to a band or orchestra?
The tuba is really important because it adds depth to the groups sound.
The tuba helps to balance out the high notes of the trumpets and the
middle voices of the trombones and French horns. Some pieces are even
written that feature the tuba!
The Parts of the Tuba
- The mouthpiece of a tuba is very large, just like the rest of the instrument. You need to have a lot of breath to play, because your air needs to travel really far.
- The mouthpipe connects the mouthpiece to the rest of the instrument.
- As in other brass instruments, the valves are pressed to open and close different valve tubes to change the pitch of the instrument.
- The sound goes out through the bell, which is pointed towards the ceiling.
Tips
When you play, try to sit up straight. If you slouch, you won't have the breath support you need.
You may have seen pictures of tuba players with their cheeks puffed out, but that's not how you should look. Keep your face relaxed but control the muscles in your mouth.
Move your tuning slide everyday, even if it's just a half-inch. One of the most common repairs for valve instruments like tuba is that the pieces get "stuck" in place.
Because you use your mouth to play your instrument, spit is going to get inside the instrument. Tubas have a special "spit valve" that allows you to get rid of excess moisture inside your instrument. Just don't unload your spit on the person sitting next to you!
How to pick a good tuba
Getting your first tuba is a big deal; here are some things to consider.
Full size or student size? Tubas are really big instruments and sometimes they are too big to fit in new student's hands. Many tuba manufacturers make 3/4 tubas, which are just like regular tubas only smaller. If you buy a smaller instrument, you have to buy full size one after you're done growing. Make sure that you can hold the instrument comfortably, whichever size you choose.
New or used? Your local music retailer will be able to advise you on pre-loved instruments that they have in stock. This can be a worthy alternative. Unless you know specifically what you want, beware of the internet! You will not get the support, advice and service you will get from your local retailer.
If you are going to buy a used tuba, be sure to check the valves to make sure they aren't leaking or noisy. Also, check the body of the tuba for dents and a worn finish. If you decide to get a used tuba, make sure a professional looks at it to make sure it's a good instrument. You will have it for a while.
Did you know?
There is an annual event called Tuba Christmas. All over the world
thousands of groups, composed entirely of tubas, get together and
perform Christmas music!