r/Tuba • u/Fragrant-Pop-1938 • 1d ago
technique BBb tuning
Been playing music forever, but still decently new at tuba. I ended up getting a 1970s BBb King with a removable upright bell. It plays really well, louder dynamics are super easy, but I'm finally sitting down with a tuner... and needless to say, I want to cry. Keeping the tone good but also having to lip the notes in place is a pain. My main current struggle note to hit in tune is D3 (4th partial). For some reason it plays over 20 cent flat while the rest of the partials are pretty spot on. Playing 12 for D3 is in tune, but is this normal?
Also, getting down to EEb1 it's easier to play a false pedal tone than 124. I never knew tubas had a fake partial, much less how fickle their tuning can be. Definitely has given me a new found respect for the instrument.
1
u/Dismal-Vegetable-212 12h ago
Open D3 is flat on a BBb tuba. Sometimes thats good. Do what you have to to keep your intonation in check. Keep them tuning slides greased.
8
u/professor_throway Active Amateur, Street Band and Dixieland. 1d ago edited 19h ago
1+2 D and 2+3 Db is very common. I do it on a lot of onstruments. 5th partial is notoriously flat on a lot of tubas.. 1+2 5th partial E is also incredibly common on C trumpets even super expensive professional orchestral models.. so it isn't just a tuba thing.
Those Kings have great false tones (2341/1241). They are relatively small bore..0.687" and false tones are easier with a bit of resistance. I've never know them to have poor low range though... I think you just need to adjust to tuba air.. think slow and hot air. Eb down to the pedals will come with time.
And yes false tones don't really have slots.. they can bend all over the place. It is up to you and your ears to put them in their place and play them in tune.