G3 on the BB♭ Tuba
To play G3 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. G3 is the 8th.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
Eighth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. Think the pitch down from B♭3 rather than up from F3 — the slot is easier to find from above.
Eighth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. Think the pitch down from B♭3 rather than up from F3 — the slot is easier to find from above.
Sound and display
Next moves
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Alternate fingerings for G3
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
G3 sounds G3 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 8th partial.
Eighth partial with 1-2, or 3 alone. Think the pitch down from B♭3 rather than up from F3 — the slot is easier to find from above.
- Primary fingering: Valves 1 + 2
- Written pitch: G3
- Sounding frequency: 196.00 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 8: the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure (the shape of your lips) select the partial.
Alternate fingerings for G3
- 3: Valves 3. The standard 1-2 substitute; many players prefer its security this high.
Questions
How do you play G3 on tuba?
To play G3 on tuba, press valves 1 + 2. G3 sounds G3 (the tuba reads at concert pitch). It is on the 8th partial.
Is G3 written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. It sounds G3.
Is there another fingering for G3?
3: The standard 1-2 substitute; many players prefer its security this high.
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.