|  The Fingering Forum 
 
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    | Author: SaxyBoy Date:   2001-03-26 20:40
 
 I have always been wondering, if a tuba sounds as written(in C), why is it said that regular tubas are in the key of BBb? Just Wondering
 
 
 
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    | Author: Eoin McAuley Date:   2001-03-27 06:18
 
 I think it is because the basic note that the tuba produces when none of the valves are pressed is a Bb.
 
 
 
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    | Author: Chris Ransom Date:   2001-03-28 08:03
 
 As far as I know, this is correct. Similar deal with the trombone. Written and sounding in C, But the range starts at Bb, it's the natural note. I believe the deal with the brass family is that those who are written in bass clef are not transposed, but written to pitch - whereas those in T C are transposed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
 
 -CHRiS
 
 
 
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    | Author: D. Pegel Date:   2001-04-16 00:16
 
 The best way to explain it (Being a tuba player myself) is that there are two types of tubas: BBb and C, along with your rarer types like Eb and Ab. When you play a note with no valves down on a BBb, you normally get a Bb, hence the name. If you do the same for a C tuba you get a C, even though the music looks exactly the same. The only difference is the fingerings; one is slightly bigger than the other.
 
 
 
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