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What Should I Know before I Buy a Tuba?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

Before you buy a tuba, learn the different types available, the difficulty of playing a tuba, and its average sale price. In addition, you may want to calculate the costs of tuba accessories into your budget. There are all kinds of tubas available, and they differ in more than just appearance; research these differences before making the big decision. Although the tuba, like any instrument, can be difficult to play, it is usually not the hardest wind instrument to perform on. Lastly, tubas are large purchases, so shop around and learn the going price for your desired instrument.

You should know the different types of tubas available before you decide on one. Some tubas are easier to play than others; for example, the BBb tuba is usually recommended for beginners. The different kinds of tubas differ in size, appearance, and quality of music produced, and the best tuba for you depends on a lot of factors. Sometimes a specific type of tuba is recommended for young or small people because of its naturally light weight and ease of transportation.

Although the tuba, like any instrument, can be difficult to play, it is usually not the hardest wind instrument to perform on.
Although the tuba, like any instrument, can be difficult to play, it is usually not the hardest wind instrument to perform on.

Contrary to popular belief, the tuba is not the hardest wind instrument to play for most people. Many beginners find flutes more difficult to play because they generally require more air to make the desired sounds. Still, before you buy a tuba, remember that it takes considerable lung strength to be good, though this is built over time. You might become dizzy if you practice too often without breaks, so always pay attention to your music teacher’s instruments on practice.

Before you buy a tuba, do research into the price range of the desired type. It can be expensive to buy a tuba, even when buying used. Many tuba players do not start playing on their own tuba; instead, they acquire a tuba from the school where they learn to play the instrument. Schools let often let students rent instruments for free or a small fee. Buying a new tuba is a large investment, though not always necessary because plenty of high-quality working used tubas are often available.

You will need more than a tuba to play the instrument. Tuba accessories like mouth pieces and cases are necessary to play and transport it. Even if the tuba is offered without charge from a school, the student is usually responsible for buying and maintaining such accessories. The price of accessories differs depending on quality; for example, hard cases are more expensive than soft cases, but they protect the instrument better.

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    • Although the tuba, like any instrument, can be difficult to play, it is usually not the hardest wind instrument to perform on.
      By: leeyiutung
      Although the tuba, like any instrument, can be difficult to play, it is usually not the hardest wind instrument to perform on.