The Tuba and How It Is Played
The largest of the brass instruments comes in many sizes and styles
The tuba is the largest and often most misunderstood of all brass instruments. It plays a very vital role in the band and is often mistakenly called the Sousaphone.
When many people think about the word tuba, they often have the wrong instrument in mind. For those not actively involved in music, tubas are often thought of as the big wrap around brass or white instruments that you most often see in parades or at halftime during a football game. In truth these instruments are not tubas, they are sousaphones. Both the tuba and the sousaphone have very specific uses and both will be discussed in this article.
The Tuba and Its Place in the Brass Section
All brass instruments work basically the same way and are governed by the same physical and acoustic rules. This is why you see a basic progression in size from the smallest brass instruments (trumpets) to the largest brass instruments (the tubas). The length of the tubing, the diameter of the tubing (known as the bore size), and the flare of the tubing all come into play to determine what the instrument will sound like. The tubas have the largest bore and longest tubes. Hence, the sound produced by the tuba is also the lowest of all brass instruments, sounding a fundamental tone 3 octaves below that of the trumpet.
Tuba Construction
Most tubas are made of brass, covered in a shiny lacquer. There are different sizes of tubas that can be used depending on the size of the performer. Most beginners start out on what are known as three-quarter-size tubas which look and play the same as their full-size brothers, but are not as tall or heavy. In high school and professional applications, full-size tubas are most often used. The tuba is most commonly pitched in B-flat but can also be pitched in other keys as well, although they are most often reserved for professional or symphony performances.
Like most other brass instruments, the tuba uses valves to help the performer change pitches and play the desired melodies. In some cases, the more common 3-valve system may be replaced by a more accurate "compensating," 4-valve system. These 4-valve tubas are most often used by professional performers or collegiate students. The compensating valve and custom silver plating of the instrument adds to the value of the tuba, which can cost well over $10,000 for custom made models.
Playing the Tuba
Standard tubas are played in front of the body, usually with the instrument sitting on the corner of the performer's chair, in between the performer's legs. Tubas can also be played with a body harness that allows the performer to carry the tuba around the stage. The most common performance position is seated, to provide as much breath support as possible without the exertion of movement. This is contrary to the cousin of the tuba, the sousaphone, whose construction is specifically intended to allow for movement in parades and other marching band performances and rests on the performer's shoulders.
Tubas, like all brass instruments have evolved dramatically over the centuries. The unique sound and appearance of the tuba will forever be one of the most recognizable instruments of the orchestra or concert band.
