Tune the Strings

Tuba Tuner

Tune your tuba or sousaphone with your microphone. The tuner reads low notes accurately even when the microphone mostly hears the overtones.

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Press Start and allow the microphone. Audio stays on your device.

Tuba tuning notes

Tuning noteB♭ bass, treble clef (brass band) readsE♭ bass, treble clef (brass band) readsConcert pitchFrequency (A4 = 440)
Open B♭ (BB♭ tuba)C4G3B♭158.27 Hz
Open FG4D4F287.31 Hz
B♭, octave upC5G4B♭2116.54 Hz
Orchestra tuning noteB4F♯4A2110.00 Hz

Concert pitch vs written pitch

In bands and orchestras the tuba reads concert pitch in bass clef, whatever key the instrument is built in (BB♭, CC, E♭ or F), so the tuner shows exactly what is on your part. In brass bands, E♭ and B♭ basses read treble clef; choose the matching setting to see the written note.

How to tune a tuba with this tuner

  1. Warm up: tubas are very cold-sensitive and can be noticeably flat for the first few minutes.
  2. Press Start tuner, allow the microphone and sit a metre or so away from it.
  3. Play a steady open B♭ (on a BB♭ tuba) or F, at a medium volume.
  4. If you are flat, push the main tuning slide in; if sharp, pull it out. Then check the valve slides with notes that use each valve.

Tuba tuning tips

Low notes and phones

Phone microphones barely capture a tuba's fundamental, but they hear the overtones clearly and the tuner works out the true note from them. Play steady and not too loud.

Reference tones

Phone and laptop speakers can't play very low notes. Use headphones or tune by ear to the octave-up reference.

Fourth valve

If your tuba has a fourth valve, use it instead of 1+3 for low C and B (on BB♭), which are otherwise sharp.

Tune by ear with reference notes

No microphone? Press a reference note above to hear it for three seconds and match it, listening for the "beats" (a wobble) to slow down and disappear. The buttons are labelled with the note you read in the selected setting, with the concert pitch underneath.

FAQ

What note do you tune a tuba to?

Usually concert B♭ and F in bands, and concert A in orchestras. On a BB♭ tuba, open B♭ is the natural tuning note.

Does this work for sousaphone and euphonium?

Yes for sousaphone (same as BB♭ tuba). There is also a dedicated euphonium tuner with treble-clef support.

Why is my tuba flat?

Most often because it is cold. Play for a few minutes before tuning, then adjust the main slide.

Other tuners