While many believe the tuba is the largest instrument in the band and would be tricky to physically manage, not all of the tubas that we use for beginners are full sized, and we have many accommodations for younger students to make the tuba more accessible. We have had many successful tuba players at SFMS who would be considered below average in height/weight.

Physical Characteristics

Tuba players need to have full lips and an above average lung capacity. We use tuba stands to allow students of all sizes to comfortably play the tuba without worrying about the weight or size of the instrument.

Other Considerations

The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated high achievers. Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be consistently eligible.  SFMS provides tubas for students during the school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces.