Quick Link: GraingerWindSymphony.asn.au/tubas

Tuba Family

Introduction

The Tuba family is easily recognisable by the incredible complexity of pipes, tightly knotted, spiralling larger, and finishing with a bell at the top, facing upwards. The bore (pipes) are conical and start smallest near the mouthpiece and get gradually larger throughout the length of the pipes.

History

Tubas came to prominence in the 19th century, replacing bizarre instruments such as the serpent and ophicleide, both of which suffered due to their complexity, near impossible tuning, and lack of volume. The Tuba far surpassed them in all these areas.

Euphonium

The Euphonium is sometimes referred to as a Tenor Tuba (although not around Euphonium players!) and sounds one octave higher than a Tuba. It is used extensively in the Wind Symphony and provides a tenor/baritone range in the brass family and gives a wonderful mellow warmth to the brass section.

Percy Grainger wrote some wonderful Euphonium solos for Wind Symphony, including his Tuscan Serenade.

Tuba

The Tuba is the lowest of the brass family, and is used extensively in the Wind Symphony, like Brass Bands and Orchestras, to provide depth of bass and a bass line for the brass section.