C2 on the BB♭ Tuba
To play C2 on tuba, press valves 1 + 3.
What’s a partial?
With the same valves down your lips can buzz several notes. Each one is a partial, counted from the lowest. C2 is the 3rd.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
Third partial with 1-3, five semitones below open F2. It runs sharp; four-valve players use valve 4 alone. The lip slot is the same as for F2 — only the tubing changes.
Third partial with 1-3, five semitones below open F2. It runs sharp; four-valve players use valve 4 alone. The lip slot is the same as for F2 — only the tubing changes.
Sound and display
Next moves
Teaching a class? Class mode keeps Stand mode and Test me on the notes your class is learning.
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
C2 sounds C2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 3rd partial.
Third partial with 1-3, five semitones below open F2. It runs sharp; four-valve players use valve 4 alone. The lip slot is the same as for F2 — only the tubing changes.
- Primary fingering: Valves 1 + 3
- Written pitch: C2
- Sounding frequency: 65.41 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 3: the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure (the shape of your lips) select the partial.
Questions
How do you play C2 on tuba?
To play C2 on tuba, press valves 1 + 3. C2 sounds C2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 3rd partial.
Is C2 written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. It sounds C2.
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.