What do the Serpent,
Ophicleide, Bass Horn, Russian Bassoon, Helicon, Bass Saxhorn and the
Sousaphone all have in common? Give up? They are all forms of what
we now call the tuba.
The tuba is the
largest and lowest sounding member of the brass family as well as being the
youngest brass instrument. The tuba itself was in demand long before it
was actually invented. Many inventors and instrument makers attempted to
satisfy the need of composers, bandmasters and orchestra conductors for a brass
instrument that could supply the bottom end of the music along with the bassoon
and the string bass.
During
the 1820s, various instrument manufacturers produced the ophicleide, a
precursor to the tuba. It was a type of keyed-bugle instrument that could
reportedly produce a pitch as low as F. However, these instruments were
difficult to play. In 1835, the first bass tuba was patented by Johann
Gottfried Moritz (an instrument maker) and Wilheim Wieprecht (a bandmaster). It
was completely distinct from the keyed ophicleide in that it was equipped with
a new type of short piston valve called the Berliner-Pumpe.
In
1849, the Helicon Bass was introduced. It was a circular coiled
instrument that was meant to rest on the player’s shoulder. It has been
said that, John Philip Sousa, the famous American bandleader, commissioned C.
G. Conn to manufacture his redesigned ophicleide which eventually became known
as the sousaphone. One opposing piece of information states that it was
actually J. W. Pepper that suggested the design to Sousa and manufactured the
instrument 5 years before C. G. Conn.
The
tuba can be found in many kinds of ensembles ranging from the symphony
orchestra to Dixieland Jazz bands. The tuba is capable of being more than
a bass instrument that supports the other string and woodwind bass instruments
in an ensemble. Concertos have been written for the tuba using it as the
featured performer.
FYI:
The first Friday in May is International Tuba Day which celebrates
tubists around the world!
If
you are interested in owning a piece of tuba history, stop in at the
Instrumental Music Company, 2908 Ontario Rd., Green Bay, WI 54301. We
have an William Frank Helicon Bass made around 1915 on display and it is for
sale!