Invented in Prussia in 1835 by Wilhelm Friedrich Wieprecht and Johann Gottfried Moritz, the tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument.
Its name comes from the Latin tuba, meaning "tube," which also referred to an ancient Roman trumpet. The invention of valves in the 1820s made the tuba possible, allowing it to play a full chromatic scale, unlike its predecessors, such as the serpent and ophicleide.
The bass tuba in F became the standard in German orchestras, while BB♭ and CC tubas gained popularity in military and concert bands. By the late 19th century, the tuba had become a cornerstone of orchestras, providing harmonic foundation and depth. The Sousaphone, developed in the United States for marching bands, was a major variation designed for portability and projection.
A tuba is essentially a long conical tube (12-18 feet) coiled into a compact shape, ending in a wide bell. Tubas are traditionally made of brass, although some modern models use fiberglass for marching purposes. Typically, there are 3-5 piston or rotary valves, with professional instruments often featuring 5-6 for an extended range. In the production process, brass sheets are shaped into cones, bent, and soldered. Then, the bell is either hand-hammered or machine pressed. Precision engineering ensures smooth valve action and accurate intonation.
Tubas are classified by pitch and design. BB♭ tubas are common in school bands and large ensembles. Professional orchestral players in the United States prefer CC tubas. E♭ and F tubas are popular in Europe, where they are often used for mobility and projection in parades and field performances. The Wagner tuba is a hybrid instrument developed for Wagner's operas, blending qualities of the horn and the tuba.
Well-known tuba manufacturers include Miraphone (Germany), Meini-Weston (Germany), B&S (Germany), Yamaha (Japan), Conn-Selmer (USA), and Eastman (USA, China).
Although the tuba is a relatively young instrument in the brass family, it has become indispensable in orchestras, bands, and jazz ensembles. Its deep resonance, versatility, and evolving design reflect both tradition and innovation.
We have assembled online resources for the tuba, offering information and instruction about the instrument. For e-commerce sites offering tubas for sale, please see the Musical Instruments section of our Shopping & eCommerce area.
Recommended Resources
Presented each December, the event is held at Stephens Auditorium on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. The website provides information on who can participate, the available instruments, registration and rehearsal schedules for musicians, fees, music books, and other practical details, along with merchandise and audience instructions (no ticket required for general admission seating; ADA seating is available). Additionally, the website offers parking information and contacts.
https://www.amestubachristmas.com/
International Tuba Euphonium Association
Founded in 1973 as the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association (TUBA), ITEA is an international organization for performers, teachers, and enthusiasts of the tuba and euphonium. It adopted its current name in 2000 to reflect its inclusion of women and euphonium players, both of whom had long been members. ITEA membership is open to anyone interested in the tuba and/or euphonium. Information about membership benefits, groups, and forums is available, along with contact details.
https://iteaonline.org/
Stylized TubaChristmas, the site features an annual series of concerts for tuba and euphonium players celebrating holiday music. The site lists coordinators and local contacts for ordering music and organization participation in such events. Players are invited to join one or more local concerts. To register or order classic materials, contact the regional coordinator listed on the site. Audience members can check specific event listings for dates, times, and other details.
https://tubachristmas.com/
Powereed by a phpBB forum script, the online discussion for tuba players and enthusiasts includes topics for general music talk, repairs and modifications, retail marketplace, gigs, recitals, and concerts, media, historic tuba collections, competitions, auditions, conferences, and jobs, as well as a classified section that includes for sale or trade, wanted to buy, and off-site deals and ads. The forum is read-only without a login, but registration and membership are free.
https://www.tubaforum.net/
Run by Joseph Ritchie, the online tuba education site focuses on teaching beautiful tone and core fundamentals, enabling players to feel confident making music with others. Featured is a limited-time free tuba tone workshop that promises faster improvements in tone and control without long tones, extreme breathing drills, or equipment changes. Interested players should watch Joseph's masterclass, then choose a time for a free chat via Zoom. Testimonials are offered.
https://www.tubamasteryonline.com/
Owned and arranged by Peter Opaskar (tuba/euphonium arranger and performer based near Houston) and published by Litterbox Music, the primary focus is on sheet music, arrangements, transcriptions, videos, recordings, and low-brass resources for the tuba, euphonium, baritone, tenor tuba, and trombone. Included are free sheet music, purchasable sheet music collections, scales and exercises, videos of arrangements, CDs, and an online store and links to retailers.
https://tubapeter.com/
