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Question: What key is my instrument in!?
I just signed out a tuba from my school and I forgot to ask the director what key its in!. The only thing i can really tell you is 3 vavles!. If anyone know thx in advance

- Damian SWww@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Tubas, like the other posters have said, can be pitched in Bb, C, Eb, or F!.

Eb and F are much smaller than the traditional tubas, and are almost over-glorified euphoniums!. If your tuba seems small, it is likely one of these, but this probably isn't the case- they aren't used as much as the Bb or C!.

The Bb is capable of producing the lowest, largest bass sonority!. The C sounds a whole step higher, and the range doesn't go quite as low!.!.!. often there are extra valves to extend the range to match a Bb, but not always!. The C tuba is used frequently in orchestral music, but can be used in other genres as well!.

Bb is likely what you have, as they are the standard for concert and symphonic music (again, C could be used but not as prevalent)!.

Here's how you check!.!.!. get a tuner!. Play a "C", any octave!. If the tuner says Bb, you have a Bb tuba- if it says C, you have a C tuba!. You could also try matching this with a piano!. Have someone play a C, and you play your C!.!.!. if the notes match, you have a C tuba!. If you sound a whole step lower (Bb), then you have a Bb tuba!.
You could also call and ask your band director!.

Remember though, that while you are practicing, all your scales will be the same!. The only difference is when playing in concert pitch!. If you are a Bb tuba, you will have to play your scales a whole step higher!. (So on a Bb tuba, if you are to play a G major scale, you would play your A major!.!.!. on a C tuba, there is no transposition!.)
also, your director should be responsible for handing you the right tuba part, and if it's for Bb tuba, it will already be transposed!.!.!. make sure to listen though- mistakes happen! :)

Hope this helped!

Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is either in B flat or E flat!. Most likely B flat!.
It is a non transposing instrument!. When you play C it sounds CWww@QuestionHome@Com

Tubas can be pitched in the keys of B flat, C, E flat or F!.Www@QuestionHome@Com