Learning objectives - Tuba

The tuba is a large and imposing instrument. Therefore, it might be desirable for students to start with a smaller and more manageable brass instrument before switching to the tuba when the teacher deems appropriate. However, smaller tubas specifically designed for young learners have been developed in recent years.

More about learning the tuba

Level 1

Range: C – es

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 88, scales played in quarter notes
Scales

(Choose two out of four)

E-flat major, D-flat major, C minor, chromatic

(type of minor scale is optional)
Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic Es – Bes (optional)

Works and exercises

Piece Minuet by Bach, No. 90 in AoA Book I,

Finale from Orpheus, No. 84 in AoA Book I,

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercise No. 2, page 42 in AoA Book I,

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody
  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement
  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 8 bars

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Midt i blinken 1 (Right on Beat 1)
  • Blåsbus 1 (Wind Instruments 1)
  • Spill 1 (Play 1)
  • Learn to Play Tuba

Level 2

Range: ,Bes – es

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 100, scales played in quarter notes
Scales
 E-flat major, D-flat major, B-flat major, C minor, D minor, Chromatic

(type of minor scale is optional)
Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic Es – es

Works and exercises

Piece American Patrol page 34 in AoA, Book I,

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercise No. 3 from Supplementary Studies by Endresen,

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    Criteria: 12 bar blues, 1x melody line (e.g., original), 1x solo

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    Length should be about 12 – 16 bars, range wider than a fifth

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 12 – 16 bars, range wider than a fifth

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Midt i blinken 1-2 (Right on Beat 1-2)
  • Blåsbus 1-2 (Wind Instruments 1-2)
  • Spill 1-2 (Play 1-2)

Level 3

Range: ,Bes – f

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 60, scales played in eighth notes
Scales
 E-flat major, D-flat major, B-flat major, F major, C minor, D minor, F minor, B minor, Chromatic

(minor is melodic)
Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic , B to B

Works and exercises

Piece When Johnny Comes Marching Home page 32 in AoA Book II,

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercise No. 13 from Supplementary Studies by Endresen,

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    Criteria: 16 bars

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    Length should be about 16 bars, range about an octave.

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 16 bars, range about an octave

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Midt i blinken 2 (Right on Beat 1)
  • Blåsbus 2 (Wind Instruments 1)
  • Spill 2 (Play 1)
  • Elementary Method by
  • Supplementary Studies by Endresen
  • First Book of Practical Studies for Tuba

Range: ,A – g

Basic exam

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 66, scales played in eighth notes
Scales
 E-flat major, D-flat major, B-flat major, F major, C major, C minor, D minor, F minor, B minor, G minor, Chromatic

(minor is melodic)
Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic ,B – es

Works and exercises

Piece ,

(or a similar piece)
Practice ,

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    Criteria: 16 bars

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    Length should be about 16 bars, range about an octave.

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 16 bars, range about an octave

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Midt i blinken 2-3 (Right on Beat 1-2)
  • Blåsbus 2-3 (Wind Instruments 1-2)
  • Spill 2-3 (Play 1-2)
  • First Tuba Solos
  • Canadian Brass: Intermediate Solos for Tuba