B2 on the BB♭ Tuba
To play B2 on tuba, press valves 1 + 2.
What’s a partial?
With the same valves down your lips can buzz several notes. Each one is a partial, counted from the lowest. B2 is the 5th.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
Fifth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. The 5th partial is flat on most tubas, so support the pitch from underneath rather than letting it settle.
Fifth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. The 5th partial is flat on most tubas, so support the pitch from underneath rather than letting it settle.
Sound and display
Next moves
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Alternate fingerings for B2
Each alternate has its own link. Send it to a student and the page opens with that fingering on the big diagram.
Same fingering, different note
Your lips choose between these notes: the fingering stays the same.
More for advanced players
Written and sounding pitch, and how the note works
About this note
B2 sounds B2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 5th partial.
Fifth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. The 5th partial is flat on most tubas, so support the pitch from underneath rather than letting it settle.
- 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 (the shape of your lips) 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.
Questions
How do you play B2 on tuba?
To play B2 on tuba, press valves 1 + 2. B2 sounds B2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 5th partial.
Is B2 written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. It sounds B2.
Is there another fingering for B2?
3: The common substitute for 1-2 in this register; often easier to slur into and out of.
BB♭ Tuba 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.