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With adequate slide pulling you should be able to play chromatically and in tune (even simultaneously) down to C. It will be hard to establish a sufficient length of tubing for a true B natural.

Klaus

I know many players (myself included) that have to use different fingerings (add more tubing) for the notes below the low F. For many players that I have known it has been on the low E or E flat. Instead of playing these notes 2+4 and 1+4 try adding 1/2 step of tubing and playing the E as 1+4 and the E flat as 1+2+4. Everything below to the pedal (except for B which you probably wont have enough tubing for - thus one reason for a 5th valve) would also be played with fingerings 1/2 step low. Different players will have the "break" at different points but this seems to work for many people. Some slide pulling may also be required. Give it a try and let us know if it works for you.
Good luck, Phil

No, it is far from impossible to play below low F! As the previous two posters said, you can pull out and/or push in slides with alternate fingerings to play down to those notes.

For example, when I played a Bb Miraphone 186, I would play the Eb below the low F with 1+4 and a pull of the first slide to where it was about 3-1/2 inches out.

I have a four-valved C tuba now, so I have had to take some time with the tuner and find out which alternate fingers+slide variations work the best for those low notes.

I hoped that help you!

Phil Dawson wrote:I know many players (myself included) that have to use different fingerings (add more tubing) for the notes below the low F. For many players that I have known it has been on the low E or E flat. Instead of playing these notes 2+4 and 1+4 try adding 1/2 step of tubing and playing the E as 1+4 and the E flat as 1+2+4. Everything below to the pedal (except for B which you probably wont have enough tubing for - thus one reason for a 5th valve) would also be played with fingerings 1/2 step low. Different players will have the "break" at different points but this seems to work for many people. Some slide pulling may also be required. Give it a try and let us know if it works for you.
Good luck, Phil

Normally I don't have to go that low in my oom-pah band, but I played a quintet job a couple of weeks back and needed to get down to the Eb below low F and the above fingerings (1+2+4) were spot on for me without having to do any slide pulling.

"I have a four-valved C tuba now, so I have had to take some time with the tuner and find out which alternate fingers+slide variations work the best for those low notes."

As this poser stated get out your tuner (if you don't have one buy one) and see where your pitches are. Through the years I have had to change fingerings in the low register and things also can vary depending on how much time I am spending on the horn. Playing scales down there can also help you to hear if your notes are in tune - for that matter they work in all registers.
Good luck, Phil

On my 4-valve Holton, I play Eb and down using false tones. Not all tubas have acceptable alternative resonances, but this one does. Eb is open, adding valves as usual down to wherever. I run out of embouchure and skill long before I run out of tubing. The lowest I've ever been asked to play is the D, and that worked fine with the false tones and was easy to remember.

Rick "who designed custom fingering for each note below E on the Miraphone" Denney

I just use the standard fingerings with plenty of lip and ear: (going down chromatically from low F) 2-4, 1-4, 2-3-4, 1-3-4, 1-2-3-4, [false tone on 2-3 or 3 for B natural when it comes up (rare)], 0. The slots are wide enough down there for me. I have a Yamaha rotary which should be similar in response and intonation characteristics to your Melton. I am too slow and dumb to get a slide out and back to the right place in time for the next note, unless it is a held note at the end of a piece.

Sidenote: I never had a problem playing first space Ab on my YBB-641 tuba, until I read somewhere it is a problem note on this model. Magically, the problem appeared after I learned of it. As a recovering hornist, you have a good enough ear to play a four valve tuba in tune.

Eric

BBb horns have a glorious sounding Eb on them if you play with no valves depressed. It is not a true partial per say but it exists, and you can "sit on it" like a partial if you practice. Whenever I catch myself on something without 5 valves.. once I get below 2+4, I go open,
2+3+4 or 2 , 1, 1+2, 2+3, open pedal.