Resources
Resources
Free Tuba & Sousaphone Fingering Chart (3 & 4 Valve)
The tuba is the foundation of the brass section — and getting those low notes in tune and in position is what holds the whole ensemble together. This chart covers both 3-valve and 4-valve tuba, as well as the sousaphone, giving you a complete reference for the full range of the instrument. What's in the Chart This chart covers the standard range of the BBb tuba and sousaphone, with separate sections for 3-valve and 4-valve instruments. The fourth valve — found on many intermediate and advanced tubas — adds a lower range and provides alternate fingerings that improve intonation on certain notes. Both are covered clearly in this chart. Who This Is For Beginning tuba and sousaphone students Students moving from a 3-valve to a 4-valve instrument Band directors who need a reference for their low brass section Parents and students practicing at home Why the Fourth Valve Matters On a 3-valve tuba, certain valve combinations — particularly 1+3 and 1+2+3 — tend to play sharp because of the physics of the tubing lengths. The fourth valve provides an alternative that keeps those notes in tune without having to lip them down. Once students understand this, they start using the fourth valve not just for extra low notes, but as a regular intonation tool.↓ Download the Tuba & Sousaphone Fingering Chart (PDF)
Read moreHow to Care for Piston Brass Instruments
Piston brass instruments — including trumpet, cornet, baritone, euphonium, and tuba — share a common family of care requirements. Keep the valves moving freely, keep the slides lubricated, and clean the instrument regularly, and it will reward you with reliable, responsive playing for years. Valve Care Valves are the heart of a piston brass instrument. Oil them regularly — for most players, this means every time you play. Use a quality valve oil: remove each valve one at a time, apply a few drops to the valve casing, and replace it carefully in the correct position (valves are numbered and must go back in the right slot in the right orientation). If a valve feels sluggish even after oiling, it may need to be cleaned. Remove the valve and rinse it in warm water to remove old oil residue and buildup before re-oiling. Slide Care Slides should move freely and be greased regularly. Use slide grease (not valve oil — the consistency is different) on the main tuning slide and any slides you move regularly. Slides that are left dry and unused can seize, requiring a technician to remove them without damage. Emptying the Water Keys During playing, condensation collects in the tubing. Open the water key (spit valve) and gently blow the moisture out regularly. This keeps the instrument responsive and prevents water from pooling in awkward places. Regular Cleaning A full bath — removing all slides and valves, soaking the body in lukewarm soapy water, and running a flexible brush through the tubing — should be done every few months. After cleaning, dry everything thoroughly before re-lubricating and reassembling.↓ Download the Piston Brass Instrument Care Tips (PDF)
Read moreJim Fox's Ultimate Mouthpiece Comparison Charts - Tuba
Bach/Schilke listed at the top for comparison. Please do not take diameter measurements too seriously. Most of the time the difference in columns can be 0.02 of an inch (0.5 mm). Not much really. The measurements are done for comparison purposes of relative sizes. Attributes such as cup depth, rim shape, bite, and backbore also make a big difference in how a mouthpiece plays and feels. Table 131 - 29.5 mm Size in mm / Inches 31.00 mm1.220" 30.50 mm1.201" 30.00 mm1.181" 29.50 mm1.161" Manufacturer Bach 25 30E 32E Alliance 5P Conn 25 Giddings & Webster GW Churada Kelly 25 Josef Klier (JK) T7 T8 T9 Miraphone TU05 TU03 Monette Peratucci PT-24+ Bruno Tilz M4, M15A1, B1T1 25 Denis Wick 4 5 Yamaha 65 64 Table 232.75 - 31.25 mm Size in mm / Inches 32.75 mm1.289" 32.50 mm1.280" 32.25 mm1.270" 32.00 mm1.260" 31.75 mm1.250" 31.50 mm1.240" 31.25 mm1.230" Manufacturer Bach 12 18 22 24AW Alliance H1, 4, 4W, Solo H2 3, 3a Conn Helleberg 18 24AW Curry 128 126 124 Doug Elliott TU129 TU128 TU126 Mike Finn MF1, MF2, MF4 Giddings & Webster GW TakuWilliwawDiablo MatanuskaBora Griego 325D325XD 320D320XD 315D315XD JC Custom (Brazil) 33 Supreme 32.2 Summit 32 Ultra32 Harmonic32 Supreme Jet Tone Jet UH Kelly 18 24AW Josef Klier (JK) T4 T5 T6 Laskey 28 LOUD LM-6LM-7 LM-5 LM-15 Marcinkiewicz 18 ST3, ST4, 24AW 25 Miraphone TU25 TU23 (Old C4) TU11, TU19, TU21, TU39 (Old C3) TU09 TU15TU17 Peratucci PT-32PT-34 PT-20FPT-30 PT-20 Schilke 69C4 67 62, SH 66 Signature Models Roger Bobo Solo (Yamaha)Arnold Jacobs Solo (Kelly) Winston Morris (Miraphone) Arnold Jacobs Std (Kelly) Bruno Tilz M2, M8, M12, M13, M17, M23, MS25, M29, M30 M3, M6, M7, M9, M11, M25, M31, A2, B2, T2, C2, 18 M5, M16, M18, 22 24W, 24AW Denis Wick 1 2 3 Yamaha 68B 67, 67C4 66D4 66, 66B
Read more