Notation, sound generation, Contrabass tuba, Philipp Dangas

Notation - sound generation - Contrabass tuba

It is the largest tuba instrument. It is also known as the "Kaiserbass", sometimes also a 16' or 18' (contra) bass tuba. Another designation is CC or BB tuba, although the first designation is not entirely correct. The fundamental C is only a contra-C, whereas the B is really a sub-contra B (B₂) and this alone deserves the designation BB. The basic scale of the contrabass tuba in C is the natural scale built on the C¹: C¹—C—G—c—e—g—b—c¹. This basic scale can be lowered by 11 semitones to the Db² scale with the help of the 4 valves and possibly one or more compensation valves.

The theoretically possible continuation of the scale of fundamental tones towards depth exceeds the limits of human lung power. In general, the C₁ is the extreme limit in depth. The tones from D flat to C are played by overblowing. The tonal response of the C₁, which can be played with the valves closed, i.e. in the original tuning, is relatively better than that of the Db₁ or D₁. In the high register, the scale limit for the contrabass tuba in C is c₁. The contrabass tuba, whether in C or Bb, is notated in bass clef .