Physical Properties of the Wagner Tuba

Physical Properties Oval in format and with rotary valves and quite a wide bore, the Wagner Tuba has a horn mouthpiece which means that the mouthpipe has to taper narrowly in order to receive it. The instrument is generally made in two sizes: Bb (tenor) and F (bass).

The length of tubing is the same as the Bb and F horns but with a fourth valve which works the opposite way to the fourth valve of a double horn, taking the Bb tuba down to F and the F tuba down to C. Operation of the four valves, unlike all other tubas, is with the left hand and, unlike other horns, the bell faces upwards. In a quartet of Wagner Tubas, there is a pair of Bb tenor tubas in Bflat and the two bass tubas in F.

Pitch
Tenor tuba - pitch of the euphonium
Bass tuba - pitch of an F horn

Range
Broadly speaking, the range of the Wagner Tuba is similar to that of the standard horn. Only two differences might be detected - the tenor tuba has greater flexibility than the bass tuba and the highest range of notes they can achieve is rarely found in the repertoire of works written for them. Having said that, there are two works we can quote which feature passages for the Wagner Tuba in its highest range. One is "Elektra" by Strauss and the other is "The Edel Rhapsody" by modern day British composer Stephen Caudel, believed to be the first work ever written for Solo Bb Tenor Wagner Tuba and Orchestra.

The Vienna Symphonic Library has digitized samples of the Wagner Tuba for playing via computers and sequencers. Here is the link to their page so you can hear notes on the Wagner Tuba.