TUBA
Embouchure
The first step to playing in tune on the tuba is to play with a great embouchure. The tuba embouchure is quite simple and should have a natural look.
1) Look at yourself in the mirror. Say "OH" or "WHOA," and hold the end of the facial expression. This is the shape of proper inhalation for the tuba. Breathe in and out several times while holding this expression. While holding that shape, gently touch your lips together. 2) Place the mouthpiece in the center of your mouth. It should be centered so that half of the mouthpiece is on the lower lip and the other half of the mouthpiece is on the upper lip. 3) Blow air through the mouthpiece while voicing the syllable "TOE" in your mouth. Imagine that your lips are gripping the air. |
Tuning Procedure
Temperature affects intonation dramatically so it is important warm up your tuba before tuning it. When the instrument is about room temperature (72 degrees Fahrenheit), it is time to tune the tuba.
1) Before tuning, make sure that your tuning slide is pull out a half inch to start. 2) Play Tuning Exercise #1 at a mezzo forte dynamic. Playing any louder or quieter may distort the pitch. Sustain the final B-flat, and check a tuner. It should be in tune. If it is sharp, pull out the main tuning slide slightly. If it is flat, push in the main tuning slide slightly. An easy way to remember which way to adjust the slide is through the acronym SOFI (see graphic below) 3) Play Tuning Exercise #2. Sustain the final B-flat, and check a tuner. It should be in tune. Adjust the tuning slide if necessary.
4) Play Tuning Exercises #3 and #4 to double check that the final pitches are in tune. 5) If you have a fourth valve on your tuba, play the low C in Tuning Exercise #5 with the 4th valve. If the pitch is sharp, pull out the fourth valve tuning slide. If the pitch is flat, push in the fourth valve tuning slide. |
Stable Tuning Note
Factors Affecting Pitch
To see the specific pitch tendencies and solutions for the tuba, click here: