Why Play the Tuba?

For some beginning band students, it’s hard to choose what musical instrument to play. Each band instrument has something intriguing to offer, whether it be the shape of the instrument itself, where that particular instrument section sits in the band, what it is made of, the sound that is produced when the musical instrument is played, and much more. So why pay the tuba? There are many great reasons to play tuba in school band:

♦ Tubas are the lowest pitched instrument in the brass family. A tuba has a powerful, full sound that resonates easily throughout any ensemble it is a part of.

♦ Tubas are also the largest instrument in the brass section, and other than possibly the bass drum, they’re the largest instrument overall in the band. If you want to be noticed, play the tuba, because if you’re holding a big, bright, shiny brass instrument like the tuba, you certainly won’t be missed in a crowd.

♦ There is very little to assemble on a tuba. All you have to do is place the mouthpiece into the lead pipe.

♦ Tuba, particularly, and low brass, in general (which includes the trombone, baritone/euphonium and the tuba), is/are the base and foundation of any ensemble, so when you play the tuba in band, you play a key role in the group’s success.

♦ If you learn to play the tuba well, you will have no problem in getting scholarships for college. There aren’t as many tuba players as clarinets, for instance, so the pool of players available to join college bands is lower, which essentially vastly improves your chances in getting financial aid for higher learning.

♦ Especially in the beginning, most schools will provide students with a tuba, so you usually won’t have to rent one right away. But sometimes a school tuba can be pretty rough-looking, and while it might play okay, you may not feel comfortable using it every day. If you plan on practicing, particularly at home (which you should, of course), you’ll probably want to get your own tuba. That’s why Art’s Music Shop is here to help.