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how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:04 pm
by bigbob
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
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:17 pm
by imperialbari
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
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:51 pm
by Lectron
measuring the valve slides, the 2nd beest the easiest, would give a good indication
I'd put my bet on a Bb
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:06 pm
by DonShirer
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.
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:56 am
by Dean E
Sit down at a piano while blowing the partials. Make a list of the open notes.
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:46 am
by Dan Schultz
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
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:53 am
by ginnboonmiller
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.
Re: how do you tell what Key a tuba is in??
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:42 pm
by bigbob
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