How to Play the Tuba

An instrument that requires great lung capacity, the tuba is a wind instrument in the brass family. Proper breathing techniques and lip movement control are keys to successful tuba playing. Learn to play the tuba, using basic fundamentals and tips.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Prepare the tuba for playing. Oil the valves of the tuba, one at a time, with instrument oil purchased from a music store. The oil allows the valves to function smoothly when depressed.

2. Practice making a buzzing sound with your lips to prepare to play the tuba. Loosely place your lips together and blow air out, causing the lips to vibrate. Proper "lip buzzing" is an essential element in tuba playing that controls the tone of the notes and controls the air going into the pipes.

3. Use the mouthpiece of your tuba to practice lip buzzing. Place your lips in the middle of the mouthpiece and lip buzz. Slightly alter your lips while buzzing to change the pitch.

4. Position yourself to play the tuba. Sit upright with your chin up and position yourself at the edge of a chair to promote optimum air flow. Pick up the tuba and place the fingers of your playing hand on the valves. Take a deep breath and lip buzz the air into the pipes without moving the valves. The sound produced is called an "open note." Several pitches are achieved using the open note and altered lip buzzing.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a mouthpiece that is comfortable and suits your size. Mouthpieces come in different shapes to fit a variety of mouths.
• Practice deep breathing exercises for the air necessary for successful tuba playing. Sit upright with your chin raised and breathe from your diaphragm.
• Never oil a tuba with industrial lubricant as this is damaging to the instrument.
• When oiling the tuba valves, oil them one by one and replace each one in the proper valve opening. Valves replaced incorrectly won't function properly.