Tuba Maintenance & Cleaning

Summary: The oompah sound of the tuba is probably one of the most distinctive things this low-register brass giant has going for it. Often found in orchestral settings, marching bands, and Bavarian beer festivals, the tuba is a large valve instrument that produces deep, smooth notes and tones. Whether it’s creating a pulsing bass line for accompaniment, or actually playing the lead melody in a song, the tuba’s sound is hard to miss. And it takes a special kind of person to play this beast of an instrument. Tubas are not known to impart to their owners any abilities to look cool or “rock out.” Rather the opposite—tuba players are often stigmatized for choosing something less popular than, say, the mighty, ubiquitous three or four: guitar, drums, bass and keyboard.

Now, every good musician knows that one of the most important parts of playing an instrument is taking care of it. If you do not take care of your musical instrument, the quality of your sound and music will suffer. If you have taken up the tuba, it is a good idea to know how to take care of your instrument. Our expert, Kevin Smith, shows you how to perform tuba maintenance. Kevin shows you how clean your tuba with cloths and brushes. Learn the right kind of soap to use on your tuba. Also, learn step-by-step instruction for oiling your tuba values and greasing your tuba slides. With his advice, you can keep your tuba looking and sounding great! So, learn how to take care of your tuba today!