BB♭ Sousaphone

D♭2 on the BB♭ Sousaphone

Written D♭2. Tap the diagram to hear it.

D♭2
3rd partialBeginner note
Written D♭2 on the bass staff

D♭2 is the 3rd partial with valves 2 and 3, 4 semitones below open F2. The 3rd partial tends a little sharp; relax the aperture rather than pushing. Keep the sound full and steady; these notes carry the band's bass line.

About this note

D♭2 is the 3rd partial with valves 2 and 3, 4 semitones below open F2. The 3rd partial tends a little sharp; relax the aperture rather than pushing. Keep the sound full and steady; these notes carry the band's bass line.

  • Primary fingering: Valves 2 + 3
  • Written pitch: D♭2
  • Sounding frequency: 69.30 Hz
  • Harmonic partial: 3 — the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure select the partial.

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.