r/Tuba

I am playing in a brass band and the music is in Eb treble clef. I am playing on a BBb tuba. How do I go about reading the music.

Hi all!

I am a percussionist just looking to learn more. What are the differences between Eb and Bb sousaphones? Is it just range? Are they used different in the music? Do you mix a sousaphone section with the two or only use one or the other?

Any info would be great. TIA!

So I play French Horn in my local orchestra and I really love it but what I also love is a Tuba so after I think since a half year I try to convince my parents that I wanna buy a Tuba just for fun from ebay. They refused but today they said with my own money I can buy one if I really want and now here is the problem I really want one but I don't have a use case for one I don't wanna stop playing French Horn but I really want to play Tuba because I love the sound so maybe you have a good advice for me.

I had a couple of fellow tubists recommend that I could make my own bell ring with a length of clear plastic tubing.

I took them to their word, and did some research. I ended up buying a 10 foot length of 1/4 inch internal diameter by 3/8 inch outside diameter clear plastic tubing at Rona (Lowes to my American readers) for about $7 CAD.

The bell of my Eb tuba was exactly 15 inches in diameter. The circumference then was 15 x 3.14 = 47.1 inches. I carefully measured the bell diameter, and did the math several times.

I also bought a 4 foot length of 1/4 inch wooden dowel. I measured and marked 49 (2 extra inches) inches on the tubing by placing it along the dowel, holding it in place on the dowel with a couple of small carpentry clamps.

I carefully but firmly inserted the wooden dowel into the end of the tubing, and pressed it in as far as I could comfortably get it.

I inserted that end into the top of my 4 inch table vise so that about a quarter of the width of the tubing stuck up above the top of the vise. I was careful not to tighten device too tightly, so that the tubing didn't bulge above the top of the dowel. I placed it so that the far end of the dowel and the coil of tubing was in the opposite side of the vise from me, and the short end where the dowel was inserted into the tubing was on the end closest to me. That way I could carefully and precisely draw the knife towards me rather than pushing it away from me.

With a brand new sharp blade in an “X-Acto” knife, I carefully and slowly drew down the length of the 4 inch vise past the opening of the end of the tubing. I was then able to thread the tubing another 4 or so inches over the dowel. I repeated this, being careful to align the now incised tubing to be perfectly straight and parallel with the sides of the dowel. I found it useful to press hard enough that I could cut through the tubing along the 4 inch length each time with one slow and deliberate cut. This prevented cuts from going off line. In addition, I noted that I was at times able to follow a line that became visible along the dowel from cutting it with the blade.

Repeat, and repeat. In retrospect, I wondered if I may have been able to make the threading process a little easier if I were to apply a bit of soapy water to the dowel, but I was concerned that the dowel may swell with the water or get even more sticky. After the first 12 to 14 inches of cut tubing, I found it useful to carefully lift the cut tubing off of the dowel. That made it easier to insert the dowel each time. At some point, I found that I simply could not insert the dowel any further into the tubing. At this point, I was able to push fairly hard on the tubing towards the cut end. This caused the tubing to buckle up, but if I pulled gently on the cut end and pushed on the uncut end, it would flatten nicely, and I could gain an inch or so each time. This is just like threading a cord through a channel - sort of milking it along. Eventually, I reached the 49 inch mark that I put on the tubing.

When I got to the three times measured 49 inch mark, I carefully made a perpendicular cut with the knife.

I took the tubing to the tuba and set the tuba upright in its bottom bow guard. It was easy to press the tubing onto the bell ring. When I finished, I had slightly less than 2 inches of excess tubing. I placed it in the correct spot several times, observing and marking the spot where the two ends met, lifted the free end up, and carefully cut it with my knife.

It took a bit of manipulation to get the tubing equally and neatly placed along the bell ring.

When I finished, I took my tuba up to a wooden floor and set it down on the bell. The results were pleasing. The tubing is naturally a bit sticky to the touch, and this prevented the tuba from sliding along the floor. I repeated this process on a tile floor with equally good results.

I hope readers find this useful if they decide to take the DIY approach to a bell ring.

Was just wondering if anyone knows any good thing, such as a belt or harness to use that I can be able to stand with my tuba for a while. (On a side note, for slide grease, would Hetmans 8 be good?)

I'm wanting to buy a tuba but I don't know what kind to buy, I want a Bb tuba but what is a good brand. I have been playing for a few years and have had a school owned one the entire time but I would like to own my own(I'm willing to save to any amount of money) currently 14 and 5'5 and skinny but prefer on playing a 4/4 or bigger

Hello all, I'm a player with 15+ years of experience and actually have the cash to buy something nice that'll last me a lifetime. I play in a community band and I'm looking at maybe auditioning for a semi-pro band once I get a quality horn (not paid, just a step above your average community band). I currently have 2 tubas, but neither of them are good enough quality to use outside of practice or the odd volunteer gig every now and then. When I play for my community band, I usually borrow an instrument from the school since they're heavily tied in, but I'd like to stop doing that, partly to avoid the headache of that too, but also to expand playing opportunities.

I really enjoy a big full rich sound and really being able to envelop an ensemble by myself if I needed to. For that reason, I've always liked the larger end with 5/4 and I know I'd like a 6/4 if I played one. I also want it to be a BBb as I don't really have the want/desire to learn C tuba fingerings. My limited research has me looking at a Miraphone 191, but please tell me any other recommendations you may have.

ETA: also it's not a requirement, but I love the look of silver instruments, and would be willing to pay the small premium that comes with them

Greetings fellow tubists!

A day or so ago I expressed my horror at someone standing their new tuba up on the floor without protection for the bell, and the person to whom I was addressing my remark said that he was aware of that, and was in the process of ordering a Thomann Bell Ring. And here starts my questions!

First, I wonder about the efficacy and the durability of this product. Since these are apparently made in Germany, I suspect that I know the answer to that question - namely that they are well made and durable, but I just wanted an opinion from those of you who may have used one.

Secondly, my exploration into having one shipped up from the United States has been a thoroughly confusing exercise.

When I am about to place my order, when the American website discovers I am having it shipped to Canada they advise that duty will be applicable, but they are unable to tell me how much the duty will be, and I am unwilling to place an order if in fact this duty is applicable and without knowing how much it actually is.

If I go to their FAQ on shipping however, the site advises me that shipping costs will be 70 Euro since it is being shipped to Canada from Germany! So now I am confused. Are they shipping these things from the United States, or are they shipping from Germany?

Is there no music supply company in Canada that sells these products?

I appreciate any help I can receive.

I thought some of you here might enjoy this absurd little low-brass experiment.

I arranged Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” for 4 tubas + cimbasso, played all the parts myself, and also sang Ozzy’s vocals. I also tried to recreate Randy Rhoads’ solos as accurately as I could on low brass, which was both ridiculous and way more fun than it had any right to be.

This is partly stupid, but not really a joke. I genuinely tried to make the arrangement work musically and keep the energy of the original while using the least reasonable instrumentation possible.

Gear used:
Melton 2250 F Tuba
Melton 5450 Thor CC Tuba, gold lacquer, early model with the smaller bell
Cimbasso

I’ve also made the arrangement public here, in case anyone wants to have a look or try it:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/14GiLsuFsK86XGkVk5nP14yhvd1_KFj_5

i want to get a sousaphone that is cheap before marching band starts again

Hello, anyone knows something about ZO ZTU-2500 tuba?

http://www.zoindustrial.com/wap/wapproducts/brassse/Tuba/599.html

Has someone of you tried this tuba?

Thanks!

I've been told by a Conn Selmer representative that the company produces different angles of sousaphone bits and that you can buy them somewhere on their website, but I'm unable to find the page. Has anyone else been able to find them online?