Tuba & Sousaphone

The tuba and sousaphone are very similar. They are the largest members of the brass family of instruments. They both use valves to change notes. The differences are mostly in their shape. The tuba is designed to be played in a seated position while the sousaphone, developed by American bandmaster John Phillip Sousa, was built to be played while standing or marching. The sousaphone wraps around the player and the bell faces forward.

Both of these instruments play the lowest notes in most settings where they might be found. They are the bass voices of the brass family. The tuba produces a darker, richer sound that would blend with other orchestral instruments and the sousaphone produces a brighter sound that would carry through a marching band.

Tubas and sousaphones can be found in concert bands, marching bands, brass bands, and brass ensembles. Tubas are part of the brass section in most orchestras.

Study the images provided and listen to the sound sample of the tuba to gain an understanding of these instruments.

Listen to a sample of the tuba:

Tuba	Sousaphone