Tuba Buyer's Guide

The tuba is the bass voice of the brass family. This instrument has many variations depending on the type of music that is being played. There are BBb, CC, EEb and F Tubas, but most bands and orchestra players use a BBb or CC Tuba, which are sometimes called contrabass tubas. Most manufacturers offer instruments in various sizes to accommodate the player’s ability, especially with the amount of air being used.

For the majority of school band music, a BBb Tuba works very well. BBb Tubas have a broader sound with more weight than a comparably sized CC tuba, which helps to balance the sound of a band. CC Tubas have a sound that can be categorized as more compact and cleaner, which works well for use in orchestras. Depending on the type of ensemble you play with the most, you may need to transpose your music for the key of your instrument.

Tubas are available in all types of sizes. Instrument manufacturers devised a system to categorize tuba size into four common sizes: 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, and 6/4. All of the sizes are relative to each manufacturer’s line of instruments. A manufacturer’s 4/4 will be larger than their 3/4. However, the same 4/4 may be smaller than another manufacturer’s 3/4. Each size is only a guideline for choosing a tuba.

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Miraphone S186 Series 4/4 BBb Tuba

As with its smaller counterpart the euphonium, tubas can also be available in three, four or five valve versions. The added fourth valve will aid in low register production and help with low register intonation. The general rule of thumb is at least four valves are needed to produce and perform all the low range notes in a tubist’s daily life. A fifth valve will make an instrument much more versatile and will allow for more alternate fingerings to aid a performer with intonation.

Tubas are available with piston or rotary valves. Piston valves, like the valves of a trumpet, are moved up and down to direct air into different combinations of tubing to change notes. Rotary valves rotate to direct the air into different tubing. Most student tubas and some intermediate and professional models have piston valves. The majority of intermediate and professional tubas have rotary valves. Rotary valves use a shorter amount of action to operate, offering a more fluid sound when notes change.

Tubas can be made with yellow brass or gold brass and even have parts made of nickel-silver. Gold brass contains a higher copper content, making the metal color and sound slightly darker than yellow brass instruments. Instruments that feature nickel-silver trim resonate differently and are primarily intermediate or professional models. Tubas are available with a lacquer or silver-plate finish. Silver-plated instruments have a slightly brighter sound than lacquer instruments. Many players prefer piston valve tubas with a silver-plated finish and rotary valve tubas with a lacquer finish.