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I can't find the answer to this question anywhere on the net. So what are false tones and how do I play them?
I feel like a noob

viewtopic.php?t=22595&highlight=false+tones
viewtopic.php?t=21331&highlight=false+tones
And plenty more where those came from

And Pre-Macmillan Conn souzys, in particular, have very good and usable false tones. I actually rely on them for the near-pedal Eb-open, D-2 & Db-1. Occasionally, when I'm really warmed up and relaxed I can go all the way down chromatically C-12 Bnat-23 to pedal BBb, but rarely. My embouchure is such I can't get lower than that, including true pedals, reliably on any tuba, so that's good enough for me.

Both of my Miraphones (186 BBb, 1291 BBb) have excellent false tones. I don't need them on the 1291 which is 5 valve, but the 4v 186's low C (1-2-3-4) is slightly sharp and I sometimes use the false C (1-2). That is particulary nice when slurring down from the G right above it. On that horn I can get a passable low B with just the 3rd valve. Both horns have clear pedals down to the low E. On a good day with the wind at my back and with one of toilet bowl mpcs I can get a recognizable low D on the 1291.

Paging Bob1062, Paging Bob1062... Bob, you're wanted at the front desk...

Bob1062 wrote:The only problem I have is that low (A on the Eb, E on the euph) right above the open false tone needs a long pull and sorta disrupts the whole "playing smoothly" thing. On my little Eb they tend to be a bit high, I but I make it work Unfortunately, on my euph they tend to be LOW so it sucks when I have to go back and forth between them. Luckily, I don't know the next time I'll have to play euphonium.

That's another reason I had the top loop of the 1st valve on the souzys I've played converted to a slide -- to help minimize the glitch and regulate the tuning in the transitions of register.

Bob1062 wrote:If I had 5-6 valves, I would probably use the valves most of the time (since I payed for them!), but I would probably still keep up on the fake notes

Bob, you don't have those extra valves to play lower, you have them as alternates to play things more in tune.

jbaylies wrote:I can't find the answer to this question anywhere on the net. So what are false tones and how do I play them?
I feel like a noob

Play a low Bb. Then lip it down. Keep lipping it down, and the pitch will jump to something like an low Eb. It will feel different, because the buzz is establishing an alternate resonance in the instrument.

Depending on the horn and with appropriate practice, the false tones are completely usable. They are often easier to play than the conventional tones, and they are the only option on three-valve instruments.

Rick "who prefers to call them alternate resonances" Denney