E2 on the BB♭ Tuba
To play E2 on tuba, press valve 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. E2 is the 3rd.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
The simple fingering is the one to learn; 1-2-3 reaches the same pitch from the 4th partial but is far sharper.
The simple fingering is the one to learn; 1-2-3 reaches the same pitch from the 4th partial but is far sharper.
Sound and display
Next moves
Teaching a class? Class mode keeps Stand mode and Test me on the notes your class is learning.
Alternate fingerings for E2
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
E2 sounds E2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 3rd partial.
Third partial with valve 2, one semitone below open F2. The simple fingering is the one to learn; 1-2-3 reaches the same pitch from the 4th partial but is far sharper.
- Primary fingering: Valves 2
- Written pitch: E2
- Sounding frequency: 82.41 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 3: the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure (the shape of your lips) select the partial.
Alternate fingerings for E2
- 1-2-3: Valves 1 + 2 + 3. Reaches the same pitch from the 4th partial; much sharper, so it is kept for trills and awkward slurs.
Questions
How do you play E2 on tuba?
To play E2 on tuba, press valve 2. E2 sounds E2 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 3rd partial.
Is E2 written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. It sounds E2.
Is there another fingering for E2?
1-2-3: Reaches the same pitch from the 4th partial; much sharper, so it is kept for trills and awkward slurs.
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.