Tuba Positions
The fingerings or "positions" used on this site are for Bb tuba. F, Eb, and C tubas read the same non-transposing music, but the fingerings are different. For example, 3rd position (1st valve only) would produce the Ab harmonic series on a Bb tuba. On a C tuba, the same position would produce the Bb harmonic series. Since we will be dealing mainly with the use of tuba in American concert band settings, we'll just stick with Bb tuba positions, since American bands use Bb tuba almost exclusively. See Buying a Tuba for more on the different types of tubas.
Confused by the term "positions" when most people say "fingerings"? Read the explanation from my trumpet guide in Why Positions, Not Fingerings?
The positions shown here are the preferred ones for best intonation and tone quality. For more about choosing the best positions for a given note, read the section on Tuba Intonation.
This chart assumes that you have a four valve Bb tuba. If you only have three valves, that's O.K., too! Whenever the fourth valve is used in the chart, there is a second "alternate" fingering that only uses the first three valves. This three-valve fingering also works on four valve tubas, but the first option has better intonation.
Confused by the term "positions" when most people say "fingerings"? Read the explanation from my trumpet guide in Why Positions, Not Fingerings?
The positions shown here are the preferred ones for best intonation and tone quality. For more about choosing the best positions for a given note, read the section on Tuba Intonation.
This chart assumes that you have a four valve Bb tuba. If you only have three valves, that's O.K., too! Whenever the fourth valve is used in the chart, there is a second "alternate" fingering that only uses the first three valves. This three-valve fingering also works on four valve tubas, but the first option has better intonation.
Tuba pages site map: What Is a Tuba | Setting Up for Success | Making a Sound | Tuba Positions | The Overtone Series | Tuba Intonation | Practice | Buying a Tuba | Caring for the Tuba | Introducing Students to the Tuba | Bibliography & Image Sources | About