How to Begin to Play the Tuba

As the largest of the brass instruments, the tuba is the bass voice of the brass family. However, this does not mean the tuba is confined to playing slow, "oompah" harmonies. Composers feature the tuba's rich tone in melodies, countermelodies and harmonies alike. Choosing to play the tuba is typically a fun and rewarding experience. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tuba
• Tuba case
• Tuba mouthpiece

1. Practice your embouchure (mouth formation). Relax your throat, jaw and chin and rest your tongue on the bottom of your mouth, "anchoring" the tip on the backside of your lower teeth. Gently touch your lips together. Keep your cheeks flat and the corners of your lips firm as you blow air out through your lips. Allow your lips to flap, making a sound like a horse.
2. Repeat Step 1, but this time try placing the tuba mouthpiece to your mouth prior to blowing air out. The mouthpiece should be centered both horizontally and vertically. Practice keeping a relaxed, open throat and oral cavity.
3. Assemble the tuba. Secure the mouthpiece into the receiver with a gentle twist. If your tuba also has a removable bell, place the bell section into the receiver and gently tighten the screws.
4. Take your tuba and sit in a straight-backed chair with no arms.
5. Sit straight with your legs slightly apart. Rest the tuba in your lap with the bell pointing up. Angle the tuba as needed to bring the mouthpiece to your mouth.
6. Support the tuba with your left hand. Holding the tuba, if the valves or pistons are to the right of the leadpipe, the left arm and hand will reach around the front of the instrument to support it. If the valves or pistons are to the left of the leadpipe, the left hand will rest over the top curve of the tuba, nearly parallel to the floor, gently holding the tuning slides.
7. Position your right hand for fingering. Holding the tuba, if the valves or pistons are to the right of the leadpipe, the right arm remains behind the tuba with the fingertips on the valves, fingers slightly arched and thumb resting below the tubing and behind the valves. If the valves or pistons are to the left of the leadpipe, the right hand will reach to the front of the tuba with fingers slightly arched and thumb placed in or near the thumb ring.
8. Produce sound on your tuba. Any sound will do at first. Try making small adjustments to your embouchure and breathing until you achieve this step.
9. Join a beginning-level ensemble or invest in private lessons to continue advancing on the tuba.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to the size of the tuba, younger students may find it easier to begin learning the euphonium (baritone horn) and switch to the tuba once they have grown into it.
• Practice breathing exercises with just your mouthpiece.
• Practice for short periods of time at first and gradually increase. It is normal for your mouth to get tired.
• Stay relaxed.
• Practice inhaling and exhaling using your diaphragm for deep breaths. Keep a relaxed and open airway.
• Maintaining proper posture and position is important not only to sound production and tone quality, but also to the player's physical health. Be careful to correct any poor habits.
• If you begin to feel light-headed, stop playing immediately and focus on your breathing.
• Avoid puffing your cheeks as you exhale through your instrument.
• Try not to tense your lips and chin as you play. This will "pinch" the sound.