Chapter 1
Heavy metal physics
Chapter 2
The birth of a brass giant
Chapter 3
Global cousins and band leaders
Chapter 4
Orchestral power and famous solos
YOUR GOAL
Master of The heavy metal magic of the tuba
Ch 1 · Heavy metal physics
maestro Heavy metal physics
Press down the valves and stretch that heavy metal thirty-one feet long
maestro A colorful diagram labels the cup-shaped mouthpiece and the metal acoustic amplifier
maestro Polished brass valves and intricate tubing loops glow under dramatic studio lighting
Fun Fact
Tuba weight: A standard orchestral contrabass tuba can weigh up to 35 pounds, requiring significant physical strength to carry and play.
Glossary
resonance (noun)
The prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object. In 1835, Prussian inventors utilized this physical phenomenon to build Berlin's first deep-sounding chromatic bass tuba.
The prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object. In 1835, Prussian inventors utilized this physical phenomenon to build Berlin's first deep-sounding chromatic bass tuba.
Quiz
Which part of a modern tuba physically redirects air into extra loops of tubing to change the pitch?
Quiz
What happens to the overall air column inside a tuba when a player presses a valve?
Quiz
What is the approximate length of tubing in a standard BBb contrabass tuba if it were stretched straight?
Quiz
What shape of tubing, known as a conical bore, gives the tuba its warm and mellow tone?
Quiz
Which valve type, common on European tubas, rotates a cylinder to redirect air rather than sliding up and down?