The tuba is an important but underappreciated musical instrument. You can't play it in the fun part of a band concert, you have to wear it for a walk, and tuba players are usually the butt of jokes. However, the tuba is essential to the sound of the symphony and provides support and structure for the entire band. Without the bass base played properly, the whole song will be ruined. If you have strong hands and lungs, then this instrument is for you.
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Method 1 of 4: Finding the Right Equipment
Step 1. Make sure the tube fits your body
New tubas are relatively expensive, but it won't be too difficult to find a used tub for under IDR 26,000,000, 00 or even cheaper than that. If you join a school band, you can usually rent a tuba right away. Most concert tubas are available in different notes, which may be more appropriate for the style of music you will be playing. You can get tubas in BBb, CC, Eb, and F notes.
- Tuba Eb is used for wind instrument bands (almost exclusively) and for solo performances.
- Tuba F is used for parts requiring higher notes and also for solo performances. Tuba F is also seen in small ensemble arrangements (brass quintet, brass quartet, etc.)
- BBb and CC tubes are used for large ensembles (bands, orchestras, etc.). The BBb tuba is more commonly seen in high school, college, and amateur orchestras because the sousaphone uses a BBb tone. However, professional orchestras in the United States use CC tubing. In Europe, the tubing used can vary from country to country.
Step 2. Use the correct size mouth pipe
There are different sizes for nozzles, so make sure you get one that fits your size. Usually the mouth pipe is made of glass fiber or mixed metal. A good mouthpiece is essential for playing a well-tuned instrument.
- If you are buying a used tub, or using a tub for rent, make sure you buy your own mouthpiece. A good quality mouth tube is essential for developing correct blowing technique and supporting breathing.
- Glass fiber nozzles are sometimes used as an alternative because temperature does not affect the intonation effect as does metal nozzles. These mouth tubes may work and cost less, but you will lose the sound quality and tone of your tubes.
Step 3. Find a comfortable chair
Tuba isn't usually played standing up, unless you're playing on a sousaphone setting. To practice, you need a chair that maintains good posture and balance to develop your skills and maintain the purity of the notes you produce.
Look for a chair with a firm backrest with no armchair, or a bench you can sit comfortably on. Avoid exercising in bed, reclined chairs, or chairs that are not upright. If you train in places like this, you won't be able to control your breathing (which is important for you to play the tuba well) and you'll get used to practicing in a bad position
Step 4. Buy a music book
There's no point in studying the outer shell of the tube if you can't read music or do what you've already learned. While it's hard to learn a musical instrument properly from a book, it's still a good idea so you can learn the basics to start playing a song on the tuba, and how to hold and play it properly.
The laptop is difficult to place on the music rest. While it's a good idea to start searching for tuba learning basics online, a professional music book is still the best way to learn an instrument. Use online searches to solve specific problems after you've learned the basics of an instrument from a book
Method 2 of 4: Holding the Tuba
Step 1. Sit comfortably in your chair
Your back should be straight and your head should be comfortably raised so that you are looking straight at the conductor (if there is a conductor), or facing straight ahead if you are playing alone. Your back should not touch the back of the chair and your feet should be perpendicular to the floor.
Step 2. Place the tube on your lap
Depending on your height, it may be best to place the tube on a chair between your legs or on your lap. Place it gently on your thighs. If you play a large tuba, you may need something to put your tuba in.
Place the tube in a place where you don't have to bend down to reach the tube. Bring the mouthpiece toward you, not you bending toward it. When you try to blow, you will notice the difference
Step 3. Use the correct hand position
In the right-handed tube, you will lean the tube slightly to the left, using your left hand to lean it. Place your right hand on the valve, between the wide sections of the bearing on a rotary tube, or with your fingertip in the center of the valve on a valved tube.
- Most tubes have a small ring to place your thumb on. This keeps your hand in place and can provide support for your right hand. Look for the ring if it's in your tube and position your hand that way.
- In a left-handed tube, you will place your tube on your left foot. Because of this, a backrest for the tuba is very important for left-handed players. Your right hand should be able to reach the valve, and your right hand will provide a lot of support. The left hand is used to maintain balance.
Step 4. Relax your shoulders
Let your thighs support the tubes, not your arms. Try relaxing your shoulders and letting your arms freely grip the tubes. Treat it like your lover, not like your enemy. The more comfortable you can move, the better you will be able to play the tuba.
Method 3 of 4: Developing Your Breathing and Embouchure
Step 1. Breathe from your diaphragm
Remember, this is a large instrument, so your air must also be big and fast to get the sound out of the tube. Inhale deeply up to your diaphragm, not just your throat. The air has to travel a long way, so start from where it can expend a lot of energy.
Unless you're playing the sousaphone in a marching band, the goal is not to drain all of your air stores in one blow, but to keep air in your diaphragm. If someone hits you in the stomach, you need to stay tight and not pass out. Tighten your abs when you play and when you blow
Step 2. Vibrate your lips
When blowing, close your lips at the point where the nozzle can vibrate. Keep blowing and vibrating your lips so your tube can make a sound. Since the tuba is a large wind instrument, try blowing raspberries on the mouth pipe. This is the kind of vibe you're looking for. Once you've found the vibration, start your note by saying either "ta" or "da" on the mouth pipe, depending on how you want the notes to be.
- A well-maintained embouchure is essential in playing wind instruments. It's hard to vibrate your lips well when you're first learning to play it.
- Don't blow your cheeks. You're wasting air that should be going down your tubes, looking ridiculous, and eventually your cheeks will hurt after playing for a while.
Step 3. Try changing the tone without pressing the key
At whichever key is pressed or opened, you can play different notes, usually three notes. Some beginners have a hard time getting one note right the first time you play it, but don't worry too much when you're just starting out. Practice your feel in different parts.
- Pinch your cheeks and lips together as you blow to control the amount of air that comes out of your “vibe.” You can raise or lower the pitch of the notes in the same position.
- Try mixing up how a note sounds, where the notes are on the staff, how it feels to play the notes, and how to play the fingers. Many beginners mix notes on the staff and how to play their fingers, so they get confused when playing notes with the same finger but different mouth positions.
Step 4. Press the lock properly
As you get used to the tuba, start experimenting with your fingers. Press the key and practice doing it at the same time as you play the notes. Whether you're studying with a book or you're taking lessons, try practicing fingering the whole chord and playing clean notes by pressing the valves.
- Many manuals teach you how to place your finger to indicate where your finger is at a particular note on the note you want to play. This is a good way to learn to play.
- Push the valve in the middle, not the side. Pushing on the side will compress your valves.
Method 4 of 4: Developing Your Voice
Step 1. Practice the tone
Start learning finger placement and playing notes to develop the foundation for starting to play music. Tone may not be the most exciting thing to learn when you're just starting out, but you know what, you need it to play Star Wars' "Imperial March" ("Stairway to Heaven" on the tuba) right and you'll start there.
Step 2. Practice your timing
The tuba is a rhythm and melody instrument, providing the band with strong bass. To become an excellent tuba player, it is very important to learn rhythm. So you not only play the right notes, but also play the notes at the right times. A great tuba player is always right in rhythm like a drummer and always clean in melody like a trumpeter.
- Practice using a metronome. Even when you play a note, play it at the right tempo. When you play your practice song, play it at the tempo. Try to get a feel for the time by tapping your feet and noticing the rhythmic movements.
- Practice your calculations. Sometimes there are big breaks for tuba notes, which means you'll often be counting blank beats in some songs. Develop a good method for counting pauses to make sure you're always on time when you blow your notes.
Step 3. Join a school band or community orchestra
The tuba is a much better instrument when played with other people. Sometimes a songbook for the tuba has only a few notes, which you can learn quickly and get bored just as quickly. But when you add trumpets and trombones, flutes and clarinets, those slight notes become more meaningful. You create music.
Consider private study too. Like most musical instruments, learning the tuba properly requires direct instruction from someone. Whether you're in a school band or private lessons, getting hands-on instruction is a great way to keep you from forming bad habits and your game can progress. Find a good teacher in your area and sign up
Step 4. Learn double and triple tonguing
This advanced technique is useful for playing quickly when needed. While this isn't something you need when you're just learning to play the tuba, developing the clarity, pitch, and speed of your notes can be helped by learning tonguing quickly.
When doing double tonguing, think about ta-ka-ta-ka or da-ga-da-ga. Say it first, and when you try double tonguing, think of your tongue moving in one of the two ways described above
Step 5. Take good care of your tubes
The tuba is not as soft as a violin, but it is still easy to bend and scratch. Always put your instrument in your bag and learn how to take care of your tubes so they always sound the best.
- Empty the water from your tubes frequently. You do this by pushing the water key and blowing air on the instrument without vibrating your lips.
- Check each valve by pressing them one by one as you blow; if there is water in it, it will be heard and felt clearly. You may need to remove the tubing or twist your tubing to clear things up.
- Find a place to fix the tube. A professional musical instrument repair shop may be expensive, but they understand what needs to be done and it would be better than destroying an expensive item because you did something you don't understand.
Tips
- If you play the trombone or baritone, you will need to learn the pedal pitch. If you play this and want to replace it with tuba, then you will be able to move easily.
- Empty your pockets before playing. It's very inconvenient to play with stuff in your pocket.
- Look for rotary valves. If you can, try a few and choose the best one for you.
- If you want to play the tuba in a marching band, try playing the sousaphone. The sousaphone is easier to carry because it wraps around you. Concert tubes can cause pain in your arms, and you may drop your tubes when you walk. If you want to walk with concert tubes, look for a special carry place to insert your tubes.
- The price of the tuba (and some other musical instruments) is falling very slowly, so you'll be able to sell your used tuba for almost what it was when you bought it. The average price of a used tub for a professional orchestra tub is around IDR 65,000,000.00.
Warning
- Always press your valve when pulling the slide. Suction can bend your valves, and fixing it isn't cheap.
- Always carry your tuba in your bag, if you have one. If not, buy it.
- Never drop your mouthpiece on the floor. This would be at risk of being damaged easily.
- If you play the large tuba, make sure you place it somewhere between your legs when you play it. The large tube is very heavy and if you place it on your thigh, you run the risk of stopping blood flow to your leg.
