When did the orchestral tuba develop? How many valves do most tubas have? how low can a tuba play?

Question

also- which german composer of the 19th century was importnt to acceptance of tuba into the orchestra?

Answer 1

I think it was patented in 1835. It was quickly adopted as the bass brass instrument to replace the opheclide. Tubas have between 3 and 6 valves. Their lowest note depends on the key it's in, how many valves it has and who's playing it. Generally works are written down to an E. (4 ledgers)

Bb tubas: most common in HS. 3-4 valves. Lowest note is E or Db. (4-5 ledger lines below...)
C tubas: most common in American orchestras and college/professional players. 4-5 valves. Lowest note is D,Db, or C depending on who the 5th valve is configured.
Eb tubas: Popular in England and in brass bands. 3-4 (sometimes 5) valves. Lowest note A, F or E, depending on valve configuration.
F tubas: American pros. 4-6 valves. Ab, F#, F depending on valves.

Also... in the right hands all tubas can play yet another octave below... called pedal tones. So add an octave down for each. Yup, most below the piano!

Richard Wagner helped make the tuba popular.

Answer 2

i don't know when it was developed, but a tuba has 3 valves, and like all other brass insrtuments, it will play as low as the player can make it play, probably within the range of 5 ledger lines below the bass clef to about eight or nine ledger lines below the bass clef.