Tuba

:For the municipality in the Philippines, see Tuba, Benguet.

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The tuba is the largest of the low-brass instruments and is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the ophicleide.

Related Topics:
Brass instruments - 19th century - Ophicleide

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There is usually only one tuba in an orchestra, and it is used as the bass of the brass section, though its versatility means that it can be used to reinforce the strings and woodwind, or increasingly as a solo instrument. The most significant instance of two tubas being used is in Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.

Related Topics:
''Symphonie Fantastique'' - Hector Berlioz

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Concertos for Tuba have been written by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Gregson, John Williams, Robert Fleming and Gary Kulesha.

Related Topics:
Ralph Vaughan Williams - John Williams

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Tubas are also used in wind and concert bands and in brass bands, although in the latter instance they are referred to as Eb and BBb basses, there being two of each.

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Tubas are found in various pitches, most commonly in F, Eb, C, or Bb.

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The most common tuba is the contrabass tuba, pitched in C or Bb; (referred to as BBb and CC tubas respectively). The next smaller tuba is the bass tuba, pitched in F or Eb; (a fourth above the contrabass tuba). The euphonium is sometimes referred to as a tenor tuba, and is pitched one octave higher (in Bb;) than the BBb; contrabass tuba. The "French tuba" corresponds to the tenor tuba, but is pitched in C.

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Tubas generally can have from three to six valves though some exceptions exist. Three-valve tubas are generally the least expensive and are almost exclusively used by beginners, and the sousaphone (a marching instrument) almost always has three valves. Among more advanced players, four and five valve tubas are by far the most common choices, with six valve tubas being relatively rare. Tubas come in both piston and rotary valve models.

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Some believe that the external finish of the tuba can play an important role in the tone production. Professional players have individual preferences on the finish that they select, and will sometimes have horns in more than one finish for different musical settings. In general, it is thought that silver finish produces a darker tone while lacquer produces a brighter tone. However, tone quality is subjective and there is no scientific basis for these claims.

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Some piston valved tubas have a compensating system to allow accurate tuning when using several valves in combination to play low notes, simplifying fingering and removing the need to constantly adjust slide positions. This does have the disadvantage of making the instrument significantly more 'stuffy' or resistant to air flow when compared to a non-compensating tuba. This is due to the need for the air to flow through the valve block twice.

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Former Chicago Symphony Orchestra tuba player Arnold Jacobs was well-known for his breathing techniques and teachings.

Related Topics:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Arnold Jacobs

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