When Was the Tuba Invented?
The invention of the tuba is often credited to Prussian bandmaster Wilhelm Wieprecht and German instrument maker Johann Gottfried Moritz. They patented the instrument's design in 1835. They called it a "true contrabass wind instrument." Wieprecht was also a trombone player in Berlin. The invention of the tuba helped assist other instruments in the brass section of orchestras. It replaced two instruments used by orchestras for centuries. These included the serpent, a large wooden instrument, and the ophicleide, a large keyed bugle. Both of those instruments eventually died out after the tuba came aboard.
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History
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The tuba, considered the youngest instrument in today's orchestra, was born when European instrument makers began experimenting with large brass instruments and high-quality valves were available. Before that time there were many large brass instruments without valves used by musicians. However, the use of these instruments was limited.
Time Frame
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The serpent instrument dates back to France in the late 1500s. It was covered with wood and leather, and had a mouthpiece made from wood, bone, ivory, ceramic and other metal alloys, including brass. It saw widespread use in churches for religious ceremonies. The instrument went through various designs over the centuries. Great composers, such as Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Wagner, used its sounds to create music. The ophicleide was born out of the serpent in the early 1800s. It utilized holes that could change the pitch of the instrument when covered or uncovered. It was actually closer to today's saxophone than a tuba.
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Features
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Wieprecht and Moritz's invention caught on quickly because it became the lowest-sounding member of the brass family to complement the trumpet, horn and trombone. It is made of about sixteen feet of tubing and has three to six valves to produce its unique sounds. Although the tuba was born in Germany, British bands quickly adopted it and its popularity continues today.
Potential
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Other instruments of the brass family usually have three valves, enough to get their notes in tune. The extra valves of a tuba provide many alternative sounds. Both high and low notes can be played in tune, with the low notes standing out as the tuba's most noticeable contribution.
Function
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Tubas are usually designed in an oblong shape to be rested in front of a seated player. The bell of the instrument can point straight up or up and out. Since the advent of popular marching bands, many tubas have been designed to be carried on the shoulder. The great big tuba had been in demand for centuries and was just waiting to be invented. Its invention in 1835 has made it one of the most popular instruments.
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