Principal Applied Tuba (Freshman Level)

Course Description

MVB1315 — Principal Applied Tuba is the freshman-level applied music course in tuba for students whose principal instrument is tuba. The course consists of weekly private one-on-one lessons with an applied tuba faculty member, supported by daily individual practice and concurrent participation in an allied ensemble (typically wind ensemble, symphonic band, brass choir, tuba-euphonium ensemble, or orchestra). Students develop fundamental tuba technique — embouchure formation, large-volume breathing, range development across the wide tuba range, articulation and tone production — through graded etude and solo literature, culminating in a faculty jury examination at the end of the semester. The course pairs directly with MVB2325 (Sophomore Applied Tuba) as the standard freshman/sophomore sequence.

This course is offered at approximately 25 Florida public colleges and universities, including Valencia College, Miami Dade College, Hillsborough Community College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, St. Petersburg College, Daytona State College, Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, Florida SouthWestern State College, Pensacola State College, Northwest Florida State College, and Broward College. It articulates to the freshman applied tuba sequence at FSU, UF, UM Frost, UCF, USF, UWF, FAMU, and other State University System music programs subject to placement audition.

The Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) encodes information about applied music courses in the digits of the course number. Following the convention documented by Florida State University's College of Music, the first digit indicates academic level (1 = freshman, 2 = sophomore, 3 = junior, 4 = senior), the second digit indicates the applied music placement (2 = secondary, 3 = principal, 4 = performance), the third digit repeats the first, and the fourth digit indicates the specific instrument within the prefix family.

For MVB1315, the prefix MVB denotes Applied Music: Brasses; 1 indicates freshman level; 3 indicates principal placement; 1 repeats the academic level; and the final 5 places tuba in the brass score order (preceded by trumpet = 1, horn = 2, trombone = 3, baritone horn = 4).

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of MVB1315, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate healthy embouchure formation, breathing technique, and air-supported tone production across the freshman tuba range (typically pedal F or lower through high E or F above middle C).
• Apply large-volume breathing technique appropriate to the demands of the bass voice in brass writing.
• Perform major scales (two octaves) at varied tempos with appropriate articulation and uniform tone across registers.
• Perform natural and harmonic minor scales, chromatic scales, and major and minor arpeggios at freshman standard.
• Apply varied articulation: legato, marcato, staccato; introductory multiple tonguing.
• Prepare and perform contrasting etudes — one lyrical, one technical — from standard freshman literature: Bordogni 43 Bel Canto Studies (introductory selections); Grigoriev Studies for Tuba (Book 1); Blazhevich introductory studies; Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies (introductory).
• Prepare and perform a solo from the standard freshman tuba repertoire: Haddad Suite for Tuba; introductory movements of Lebedev Concerto in One Movement; Telemann Sonata in F Minor (transcribed); Beach Suite for Tuba; or comparable.
• Demonstrate developing sight-reading at a level appropriate to freshman major standing.
• Perform a faculty jury at the end of the semester demonstrating prepared scales, etudes, and solo repertoire.
• Participate concurrently in an allied ensemble (wind ensemble, symphonic band, brass choir, tuba-euphonium ensemble, or orchestra).

Optional Outcomes

• Engage in tuba-euphonium ensemble repertoire (Florida-rich format with strong programs at FSU and UF).
• Develop multiple-tuba awareness (BB-flat, CC, E-flat, F — different keys for different repertoire contexts).
• Apply introductory orchestral excerpt study (Wagner Die Meistersinger; Berlioz; Mahler symphonies).
• Engage in brass quintet or other brass chamber music.
• Develop jazz/commercial style tuba playing where institutional jazz studies emphasis exists.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Embouchure and Tone Production: Lip formation appropriate to the tuba's large mouthpiece; air column maintenance; tonal consistency across registers; resonance and projection.
• Breathing and Air Support: Maximum-volume breathing technique; breath capacity development; breath economy across long sustained passages typical of tuba writing.
• Range Development: Systematic range expansion through long tones, lip slurs, octave studies, pedal-tone work, and graduated high-register approach.
• Articulation: Single-tongue clarity, legato, marcato, staccato; introduction to double-tongue and triple-tongue.
• Daily Technique Routine: Schlossberg-style daily drills adapted for tuba; Bordogni vocalises (transposed for tuba range); long tones; lip-slur exercises across the harmonic series.
• Foundational Etudes (Lyrical): Bordogni 43 Bel Canto Studies (introductory selections); Concone Lyrical Studies; Rochut-style melodic etudes (when transposed).
• Foundational Etudes (Technical): Grigoriev Studies for Tuba (Book 1); Blazhevich introductory studies; Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies (introductory selections); Tyrell preparatory work.
• Solo Repertoire: Haddad Suite for Tuba; Lebedev Concerto in One Movement (introductory movements); Telemann Sonata in F Minor (transcribed); Beach Suite for Tuba; Persichetti Serenade No. 12 (selected movements at freshman level).
• Equipment Awareness: Tuba sizes (BB-flat, CC, E-flat, F); standard mouthpieces (Helleberg, Bach 18, PT series); valve and slide care; instrument transport and storage.
• Performance Preparation: Memorization (where required), management of performance anxiety, jury preparation, recital etiquette.

Optional Topics

• Multiple Tubas: Awareness of CC tuba (orchestral standard in the United States), F tuba (solo and chamber repertoire), and BB-flat tuba (band/concert standard).
• Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble: Introductory ensemble experience (Nelhybel Suite for Tubas; Forte Music for Three Tubas; published quartets).
• Orchestral Excerpts: Wagner Die Meistersinger; Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique "Witches' Sabbath"; Mahler symphonies (introductory excerpts).
• Brass Chamber Music: Brass quintet repertoire (Ewald, Ewazen).
• Jazz and Commercial Tuba: New Orleans-style brass band tuba; introductory jazz combo work.

Resources & Tools

• Studio Faculty Member: Primary applied teacher (typically a part- or full-time tuba professor) who delivers weekly individual lessons.
• Practice Facilities: Dedicated brass practice rooms with adequate ventilation; tuba-friendly chair and space; storage for institutional instruments.
• Foundational Methods: Arban's Complete Conservatory Method (tuba edition); Bordogni-Rochut studies (transposed for tuba); Pares scales for tuba.
• Etude Books: Bordogni 43 Bel Canto Studies; Grigoriev Studies for Tuba (Book 1); Blazhevich 70 Studies for Tuba (introductory); Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies; Sears Music for Sight Reading.
• Solo Anthologies: Solos for the Tuba Player (Schirmer); Concert and Contest Collection for Tuba (Rubank).
• Equipment: Quality intermediate or institutional-loaner tuba (most freshmen begin on a loaner instrument); standard mouthpiece (Helleberg 7B, Bach 18, or Perantucci PT series); cleaning rod and valve oil.
• Studio Class: Weekly group meeting for performance practice, peer feedback, masterclass discussion.
• Jury Committee: Multi-faculty panel for end-of-semester performance evaluation.
• International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA): Professional organization providing the ITEA Journal, the biennial International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC), competitions, and pedagogical resources.

Career Pathways

• Music Educator (K–12, post-completion of BME and Florida teacher certification through FTCE Music K–12).
• Performing Musician in regional orchestras, opera and ballet pit orchestras, theatre productions, jazz ensembles, and chamber groups. Florida hosts the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), Naples Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, Palm Beach Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, and the Sarasota Opera.
• Theme Park & Entertainment Performer at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Disney Cruise Line.
• Cruise Ship Musician for vessels homeporting at Florida's major embarkation ports (PortMiami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Tampa Bay, Jacksonville).
• Worship and Liturgical Musician for churches across Florida's metro and rural communities.
• Private Studio Teacher, often credentialed through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) or instrument-specific Florida professional associations.
• Military Musician with U.S. Armed Forces premier bands or regional service bands (audition required; competitive).
• Studio Recording & Session Work, particularly in the Miami, Orlando, and Tampa recording markets.

Students intending to pursue performance professionally should plan on completing a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance at a Florida university — typically Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami (Frost), University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, or Florida A&M University — and continuing to graduate study or competitive auditions.

Tuba graduates have additional career destinations specific to the instrument: military service bands (the Marine Band "President's Own", Army Field Band, Air Force Band, Navy Band — tuba positions are highly competitive and prestigious); orchestral tuba positions (extremely competitive; one tuba position per orchestra); theme-park brass sections at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando; and brass band tradition (tuba-euphonium ensembles and British-style brass bands have a substantial Florida following).

Special Information

SCNS Transferability

Applied music courses with prefixes MVB, MVH, MVJ, MVK, MVO, MVP, MVS, MVV, and MVW are not automatically transferable under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System. Per FSCJ's published policy on the SCNS, these courses require evidence of skill achievement (audition, jury performance, or portfolio) and must be evaluated individually by the receiving institution. Students transferring to a four-year music program should plan to audition with the receiving institution's applied faculty regardless of credits earned. The Florida Common Prerequisites Manual (available at floridashines.org) lists state-wide prerequisite expectations for music majors transferring to State University System institutions; faculty in the receiving program place students into the appropriate applied level based on audition.

Audition and Placement

Admission to MVB1315 requires a placement audition with the applied tuba faculty. The audition typically includes prepared solo repertoire (one or two contrasting selections), scales, and sight-reading. Students whose technical level is below the principal placement may be assigned to a pre-principal sequence (e.g., MVB1015) or to class instruction until they reach the principal standard.

Credit Hour Variation

Credit values for MVB1315 vary across Florida institutions, ranging from 1 to 2 credits per semester. Florida State University offers the MV_1311–1316 series at 2 credits; per Florida SouthWestern State College's catalog convention, "thirty minutes of private instruction per week equals one credit hour."

Co-requisite Requirements

Most institutions require concurrent enrollment in a major ensemble (wind ensemble, symphonic band, brass choir, or orchestra), in music theory and ear training, and in another music course (any MUx-prefix course other than Music Appreciation).

Lab Fee and Equipment

Most institutions charge a private lesson lab fee in addition to standard tuition (typically $75–$200 per semester). Tuba represents a substantial financial commitment for the student musician: institutional loaner instruments are common because of cost ($5,000–$15,000+ for professional instruments), but students serious about tuba performance typically purchase or lease a personal CC or F tuba by the upper-division level.

Continuation Sequence

MVB1315 is followed by a second freshman semester (often a repeat of MVB1315) and then by MVB2325 at the sophomore principal level. The sequence continues with MVB3335 (junior) and MVB4345 (senior) at the four-year music school. Successful completion through MVB3335 (by jury) is a degree requirement for the Bachelor of Music Education at FSU and similar requirements at peer institutions.