What are some good tricks to hitting low notes on the tuba?
Question by Kelly: What are some good tricks to hitting low notes on the tuba?
I just started playing the tuba. I have been playing the flute for four years and decided I would like to learn the tuba. I need some helpful hints or tricks for low notes because I can’t really get them. Luckily I can hit the high notes pretty good! Any one have some tips??
Best answer:
Answer by Zach
You being a flute player is a great advantage. Just drop your jaw and use more of the inside of your lip (the red part). It will sound like a dying animal at first, but it will get better over time.
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i have been playing tuba for about a year, my range is pedal C to High Bb ( the Bb on the upper end of the staff) start on your lowest note, whichever that may be and slowly work your way down to lower and lower notes. When i started, my lowest note was low G, which is still fairly low. I don’t know what your lowest note, but here are some fingerings starting on low Bb to help you out.
Low Bb- 0 Low A- 2 Low Ab – 1 Low G- 1+2 Low Gb- 2+3 Low F- 1+3 (4) pedal E- Open
Pedal Eb- 1+2+4, Pedal D- 2, Pedal Db- 1 Pedal C- 1+2 Pedal Bb- Open. when it comes to notes below Low F, it takes alot of air, and very loose lips to get them out, ecspecially the first time you play them, but perservere and they can be as easy to play as some of the middle range notes.