how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??

bigbob · Post by **bigbob** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:04 pm

Hi everyone I have been looking at this old J.F.Haisner brass tuba that's for sale.. he dosn't know what key it's in or the size 5/4,6/4..just that it played in the Chicago symphony in the 1900's Do any of you all know??? Here's a couple of pictures..BB

$(KGrHqIOKo8E7EEU4oV7BOyZO8SuIQ~~60_12.jpg

imperialbari · Post by **imperialbari** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:17 pm

The only sure test is checking it with a tuner.

Not knowing the height or bell diameter as references it is hard to say anything valid from photos. But from the lengths of the 1st and 2nd loops I wouldn’t be surprised, if it is in BBb.

Klaus

Lectron · Post by **Lectron** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:51 pm

measuring the valve slides, the 2nd beest the easiest, would give a good indication

I'd put my bet on a Bb

DonShirer · Post by **DonShirer** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:06 pm

The key is related to the length of the "bugle". One way to determine this is by taping a string to the instrument from bell to mouthpiece (passing straight through the valve section). A BBb tuba should measure about 18 ft, a CC about 16 ft, an Eb about 13.5 ft, an F about 12 ft. (Slightly shorter than you might expect from the wavelength because of the bell end effect.) The age of the picture you show suggests BBb.

As for the 3/4...6/4 designation, this is strongly mfr. dependent and I have given up trying to guess this.

Dean E · Post by **Dean E** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:56 am

Sit down at a piano while blowing the partials. Make a list of the open notes.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:46 am

Isn't this the one that's been listed twice on Ebay. A potential buyer told the seller it's a BBb tuba.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=47620

ginnboonmiller · Post by **ginnboonmiller** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:53 am

bloke wrote:I'm not going to venture a guess...I just don't want to put myself behind the 8 ball.

Shoot, I'm not even going to post in this thread.

bigbob · Post by **bigbob** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:42 pm

TubaTinker wrote:Isn't this the one that's been listed twice on Ebay. A potential buyer told the seller it's a BBb tuba.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=47620

Sorry.. I didn't see that article on the subject.. He said he thought it might be a BBb he had a question mark after it.. would you happen to know it's size??I was hoping for 6/4<s>I sure like its looks & price......................................BB

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how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??

how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??

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