International Tuba Day – How It’s Made Tubas – Jaws Theme

It’s International Tuba Day!  What you ask is International Tuba Day?  It’s the first Friday in May that celebrates tubists around the world. Just who founded this day, and why is a Tuba so interesting?

International Tuba Day was found out of a feeling of disrespect.  It’s founder, Joel Day, was one of two tuba players in his High School and felt that they didn’t get the respect they deserved, so he created they’re own holiday.  Joel then went on to college at Millersville University where he created some popular International Tuba Day celebrations.  In college, any occasion to party is a good thing, so the celebrations continued there even after Joel was gone.  But then, in 1986, the celebration was photographed, and appeared, in the number one best selling book by Dr. Sy Brandon called “A Day in the Life of America”.  And from there the celebration was picked up around the world, including Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy, and France, just to name 5.

Some fun facts on the tuba.

-         Was patented by Prussian Wilhem Friedrich Wieprecht and German Johann Gottfried in the key of “F” in 1835

-         Tubas come in different keys.  “C” & “F” are used most in orchestras.  “E” flat and “B” flat are used mostly in marching bands

-         The Tuba has around 16 feet of tubing, and commonly has 3 or 4 valves.

-         It’s not just background noise.  Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Williams, and Edward Gregson have written music that features it.  You might recognize one of them.

To find out how it's made