E1 on the BB♭ Tuba
To play Low E (E1) on tuba, press valves 1 + 2 + 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. Low E is the 2nd.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
1-2-3 is badly sharp, so pull the first valve slide or lip it down; a four-valve tuba plays this note 2-4 and sits far better in tune.
1-2-3 is badly sharp, so pull the first valve slide or lip it down; a four-valve tuba plays this note 2-4 and sits far better in tune.
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
Low E sounds E1 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 2nd partial.
The lowest note on a three-valve BB♭ tuba: the 2nd partial pulled down six semitones with all three valves. 1-2-3 is badly sharp, so pull the first valve slide or lip it down; a four-valve tuba plays this note 2-4 and sits far better in tune.
- Primary fingering: Valves 1 + 2 + 3
- Written pitch: E1
- Sounding frequency: 41.20 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 2: the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure (the shape of your lips) select the partial.
Questions
How do you play Low E on tuba?
To play Low E (E1) on tuba, press valves 1 + 2 + 3. Low E sounds E1 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 2nd partial.
Is Low E written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. It sounds E1.
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.