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This is a comprehensive Tuba & Sousaphone buying guide. Bethel Music Center does not carry all of the musical instruments that are manufactured in the universe… and do NOT want to! We act as a filter for our customers and we only carry the instruments that, in our professional opinion, meet or exceed the needs of our customers. Due to manufacturer rules and regulations, we do not list many of our instruments in our online store because we are either not authorized to, or that we are forced to sell the item at a MUCH higher cost to our customers than we would prefer. Please call the store to find out how we can offer you HUGE SAVINGS!
Student Tubas are a very large, and heavy instrument that can be found in ¾ size student tuba and full size beginner tuba. It produces notes by using a mouthpiece and three valves with monel pistons. Beginner Tubas are constructed out of brass, and have a lacquer finish. Starter Tubas are all BBb tubas, referring to their key of Bb. Entry tubas can have either front action valves or top action valves.
A few BMC recommended Student Tubas
Conn 12J
King 2340
Yamaha YBB-201
Intermediate tubas and professional tubas have differences that are subtle between them. Upper level tubas and pro tubas will have at least four valves, and can have even five valves. Players can choose between Step-up tubas and professional tubas with piston-style valves or rotary style valves. Rotary valves offer less movement to change notes, and professional players tend to prefer them over piston-style valves. Intermediate tubas and professional tubas can come in ¾ size, full size, 5/4 size and 6/4 size. Step-up tubas and pro tubas are often made with gold brass to darken up the sound. For players interested in brightening their sound, silver-plated upper-level tubas and silver-plated professional tubas are recommended.
A few BMC recommended Intermediate Tubas and Professional Tubas
Yamaha YBB-321
Yamaha YBB-641
Conn 5JKing 2341
C, Eb and F Tubas
Like woodwind instruments, tubas can be pitched in various keys. The most common tuba is BBb, however, many seasoned professionals will utilize CC tubas, Eb tubas, and F tubas. C tubas are the standard orchestral tubas in United States orchestras, however are smaller than BBb tubas. CC Tubas offer a greater versatility in playing various keys, and are the choice of many professionals. Eb tubas and F tubas are smaller in size, and higher in pitch. Players will use either an Eb tuba or an F tuba for solo work due to their higher timbre of sound and projection capabilities. In most European orchestras, the F tuba is used, unless a bigger instrument is desired. In the United Kingdom, the Eb tuba is the instrument of choice.
A few BMC recommended C, Eb and F Tubas:
Yamaha YCB-621
Yamaha YEB-632S
Yamaha YFB-621
The sousaphone is a marching variant on the tuba that wraps around the individual’s body and rests on the left shoulder, and right hip. To save on weight and cost, sousaphones are often made from fiberglass. Fiberglass sousaphones are the most common type of sousaphone, used in nearly every type of marching band using sousaphones. Due to the resonant qualities of fiberglass sousaphones, they offer a tone that is thinner, and less warm than their brass sousaphone counterparts. Many high schools prefer fiberglass sousaphones for younger, inexperienced players due to their weight and cost.
A few BMC recommended Fiberglass Sousaphones
Yamaha YSH-301
Conn 36K
King 2370
The hybrid sousaphone is an instrument with a fiberglass body and a brass bell. The hybrid sousaphone is meant for those who need an affordable instrument, without sacrificing a lot of tone. The fiberglass body on the hybrid sousaphone can be silver-plated to enhance tone and appearance. The brass bell adds more weight to the instrument, offering up a slightly warmer tone than fiberglass sousaphones.
A few BMC recommended Hybrid Sousaphones
King 2360
King 2360SP
A brass sousaphone is often recommended for a player above the high school level, and performing with a professional, or competing marching band. A brass sousaphone is considerably heavier than its fiberglass sousaphone counterpart, and also produces a much richer and darker tone. Silver plating can be added to the brass sousaphone to brighten its tonal color. Due to its sturdier construction and materials, the brass sousaphone is easier to keep in tune and control intonation.
A few BMC recommended Brass Sousaphones
Yamaha YSH-411
Conn 20K
King 2350
Convertible Tubas & Marching Tubas
A marching tuba looks very much like a concert tuba, however, rests on the shoulder of the player, instead of on the leg or in the lap. Marching tubas are made from brass to provide for a genuine tuba sound that often is lacking from sousaphones. Marching tubas are constructed much like student tubas to ensure affordability, and quality of note production. A marching tuba can be silver plated to brighten the sound and enhance projection. Convertible tubas are almost identical to marching tubas. A convertible tuba has an interchangeable lead pipe that allows the player to perform standing in a marching band, or play upright in a wind ensemble. Convertible tubas are constructed with materials comparable to student tubas to ensure affordability and quality sound.
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