Tubas

How to Choose the Perfect Tuba for You

It is the largest member of the brass family, as well as the lowest-pitched. Tubas are large instruments used in symphonies and other bands that project a smooth, deep sound. Knowing what to look for in these new and used brass instruments is important if you're seeking to get an ideal sound from eBay's selection.

There are several components to consider when looking for a tuba:

• Size: Tubas come in different sizes and weights. It's a good idea to know what size you are looking for before you begin to shop to ensure that it fits your body.
• Metal: Tubas come in different metals and metal alloys, each of which projects a slightly different tone. Brass is the typical option for tuba construction, and tone can be altered by adding different amounts of tin and/or nickel.
• Valve configuration: Valves can be piston or rotary activated. They can be front-action or top action.
• Bell configuration: Bells can be front-facing or upward-facing.
• Key: The most common tuba is keyed in BBb, but options are available in CC, Eb, and F.

One of the biggest choices you will have when selecting a tuba is about the kind of valves, their location, and their number. The options are varied to give versatility to the musician; the right choice for you has to do with what your musical intention for the tuba is.

• Piston valves: Piston valves are a good choice for beginning students because their simple, spring-activated mechanism is easy to learn, clean, and use and keeps the tuba light. Top-action tubas are only available as pistons though front-action pistons can also be found.
• Rotary valves: Rotary valves go from left to right instead of up and down; they require little maintenance and lubrication and are often the choice of experienced tuba players. They are only found as front-action tubas.
• Combination valves: Some tubas offer a combination of rotary and piston-activated valves. These are front-action valves.
• Number of valves: Tubas can come in three, four, five, or six-valve versions. Those with fewer valves are light and simple to play. Those with more valves offer a large musical range to draw from when playing. Each additional valve will typically add to the lower register of the instrument.

Yes. A tuba is one of the newer members of the brass family. It provides the bass portion of songs for many musical pieces and can help to highlight the bass of instruments in the woodwind and string families. Because of their size, they are usually played in a seated position. Although it is often played with other instruments, the tuba can be played in a solo performance as well.