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The legendary Soprano Tuba has a nice warm sound and a great range. When played with skill, it gives a very pleasing sound to the ear. It is typically available with three valves but there are some four valve versions out there. I've never seen one with 5th valve. There are many recordings of the Soprano Tuba being played well. Few people in the pubic at large have any clue what kind of instrument it is they are hearing that makes such a warm and mellow sound as the Soprano Tuba does, but they like it. There are many makes of Soprano Tuba with even some inexpensive Chinese made ones that sound and play quite well. It such a shame that so few "tuba players" own and use a Soprano Tuba.

Sadly it is some of the "trumpet players" in the world who have embraced playing the Soprano Tuba. But as if Tuba were a bad word, they have taken to calling it a Flugel Horn. Tell a trumpeter that what he/she is playing is really a Soprano Tuba and watch them cringe!!

bloke wrote:Is there a picture or video online of Fred Mills with his upright flugelhorn ?

I'm not certain, but I may have heard it's debut at a concert in Maryland in the early 1980's.

It's funny that you posted this, because I had just thought about that instrument, and wondered about making one.

I found this in a search:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Taylor-Trum ... 4422338258

Is this what you mean?

There were rotary Eb soprano tubas in use in Civil War bands and thereafter. A friend played and plays one. It tames the screech of the antique Eb soprano cornet.

This is a recording of Tim Morrison playing his “soprano tuba” with the Brass Band of Battle Creek:

"Adagio Concierto de Aranjuez" - Joaquín Rodrigo, arr. Bolton
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JPuKRAboODE

or this link for same recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA6q1AcGMSw

When the rare occasion calls for it, I dearly enjoy playing my Couesnon "soprano tuba," for its inimitable piquant, smoky tone, and mine is one of the few that actually has great intonation throughout the range, especially when you take time to set the slides properly (older - no triggers). Couesnon - the tonal standard by which all other "soprano tubas" are judged.