Watford Band

The Tuba – some little known facts.
Useless fact #1
It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the ophicleide.
Useless fact #2
Tuba is Latin for trumpet or horn. The horn referred to would most likely resemble what is known as a Baroque trumpet.
Useless fact #3
Wilhelm Friedrich Wieprecht and Carl Moritz on September 12, 1835 for a "basstuba" which used five valves. The modern tuba has 4 valves.
Useless fact #4
An orchestra usually has a single tuba, though occasionally a second tuba is required. It is the principal bass instrument in symphonic and military bands which generally have more than one tuba.
Useless fact #5
Concertos have been written for the tuba by many notable composers, including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Gregson, John Williams, Alexander Arutiunian, Eric Ewazen, James Barnes, Martin Ellerby, Philip Sparke, Kalevi Aho, Arild Plau, James Woodward, Victor Davies and Bruce Broughton
And of course - Useless fact #6
In British style brass bands, both E-flat and B-flat tubas are used and are normally referred to as basses.

Have you read ‘The Double Bass’ by Patrick Suskind? It’s a very interesting little story written from the point of view of a double bass. Quirky but worth a read.

Michael Willis