BBb fingering chart

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:08 am

Depends on the type of 5th valve you have. But if it's a long-whole step, then just take the 5-valve CC chart and read it down a whole tone:

http://www.chisham.com/tips/fingerings/CC.html

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:42 am

5th (in "long 1st valve" configuration) valve can be immediately swapped for 1st valve when you hear that a note is sharp. For example, low Eb would be played 1-4 on a 4V BBb, and would be sharp. So, a 5,4 Eb will probably fix this problem.

An easy way to use your ear AND a tuner to determine which alternate fingerings will work well for you (different players come up with different solutions using the 5th valve -- but some work generally "best"), is to play the notes an octave higher and switch back/forth between the standard fingering and the alternate (5th valve) fingerings.

For example, the Eb right below the staff is very easy for your ear to hear and for a tuner to respond to. Play it w/ 1st valve only, then try 1,4 for the same Eb, try 1,2,4 for it, try 5,4. Which ever fingering works best for that note will likewise be the one to use for the note an octave lower. My tuner is no help in the lower octave, and I can't always trust my ear, either.

Repeat the process for D, Db, etc.

Also, for the low B natural (two ledger lines + space below staff), 5,2,3 may be easier on your hand than 2,4. Likewise for the LOW E natural.

Good luck,

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:37 pm

Whether or not one uses 1 & 4 or 1, 2, & 4, depends on the instrument itself. That will vary from instrument to instrument. Having a fifth valve provides another option. On my 5-valve Miraphone 186-CC, the equivalent F is much easier to play in tune using the fifth valve. Both of the above fingerings leave something to be desired in the intonation department. All of these choice sound "smooth," just not all of them are in tune.

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:31 am

Several versions of the chart you seek can be found here:

http://www.geocities.com/galvanized.geo ... valve.html

There are 4 "note-name" columns in each chart, corresponding to the 4 most common tuba pitches. You just use the column on the left for BBb tubas.

Remember that these fingering charts are only a starting point; you may find different fingerings that work better on your particular instrument.[/url]

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:01 am

tuba4sissies wrote:a low Eb is 1 and 4 on a four valved BBb tuba? uh.. i use 1,2 & 4. and its nice and smooth. maybe you dont need a fifth valve for the lowest Eb.

This (1,4) is the fingering you might think should work for low Eb, based only on the progression of fingerings as you play down the scale. This will be correct if you have a compensating tuba (Besson). So it is the "theoretically correct" answer. But if your horn isn't a compensating tuba, then you will get poor results (as mentioned above), and likely have to lip noticeably, or pull the 1st or 4th slide, OR many folks find 1,2,4 works very well (although this may actually be a little bit flat). Your solution is the "practically correct" one -- keep using it if it works well for you!

Cheers,