BB♭ Sousaphone
B2 on the BB♭ Sousaphone
Written B2. Tap the diagram to hear it.
B2 is the 5th partial with valves 1 and 2, 3 semitones below open D3. The 5th partial sits flat on every valved brass instrument, so keep the air moving and the pitch up. The fifth partial sits flat; keep the air moving so the note does not sag under the band.
About this note
B2 is the 5th partial with valves 1 and 2, 3 semitones below open D3. The 5th partial sits flat on every valved brass instrument, so keep the air moving and the pitch up. The fifth partial sits flat; keep the air moving so the note does not sag under the band.
- Primary fingering: Valves 1 + 2
- Written pitch: B2
- Sounding frequency: 123.47 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 5 — the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure select the partial.
Alternate fingerings for B2
- 3: Valves 3. The common substitute for 1-2 in this register; often easier to slur into and out of.
BB♭ Sousaphone fingering data last updated . Every diagram here, in the printable PDF and in the chart image comes from one dataset, so the paper and the screen cannot disagree.