What is Tuba?
{{Infobox instrument | name = Tuba | names = | image = Tuba 25J Conn BBb.jpg | image_capt =A tuba | background = | classification = [[Brass instrument|Brass]] | hornbostel_sachs = | hornbostel_sachs_desc = | inventors = | developed = in the [[19th century]] | range = | related = | musicians = | builders = | articles = }} The '''tuba''' is the biggest of all the brass [[musical instrument]]s. They are the newest part of the symphony orchestra, first showing up in the mid-[[19th century]]. Most orchestras have a tuba now. The standard tuba has about 16 feet of tubes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orsymphony.org/learning-community/instruments/brass/|title=Brass Family of Instruments: What instruments are in the Brass Family?|website=www.orsymphony.org|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=2021-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524190812/https://www.orsymphony.org/learning-community/instruments/brass/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tubas are normally in the key of F, E''b'', CC, or BB''b'' and can have 3 to 6 valves. Because they are so big, some tubas have a ''compensating system''. This means a fourth, fifth or sixth valve is used to make the instrument sound more in tune - especially the lowest notes. It takes a lot of breath to play the tuba. It is one of the loudest instruments in the orchestra but can also play very quietly. ==Use of the tuba== The tuba usually plays the bass (lowest sounding) part even though it can play relatively high as well. The tuba is used in all sorts of music and can be found in orchestras, wind bands, brass bands, jazz groups, pop groups, brass ensembles and even in tuba quartets (in groups of 4). ==References== {{commons cat}} {{reflist}} [[Category:Brass instruments]].