Posted by Don Shirer on April 12, 2003 at 22:55:08:
In Reply to: beginning player posted by Bill Johnson on April 12, 2003 at 14:12:47:
If you can't find a tuba player in the vicinity who can help you
determine what you have, try measuring the total length of the bore from mouthpiece
to the bell (going straight through the valve section). If it is about 18+ feet
you have a BBb sousaphone, or about 14+ feet, it is an EEb model. The BBb means
it's fundamental note (which you may not be able to blow) is an octave below a
Bb euphonium (which has the same range as a trombone). A teacher or even a good high school student can help you with breathing excercises for the low notes as well as tuning.