A tuba is the largest and lowest-sounding brass instrument in an orchestra or band. When you see a tuba, you can't miss it: it's a very large brass instrument with a wide bell (the flared opening where sound comes out) that often points upward and can be nearly two feet wide.

The tuba produces deep, rumbling notes that you feel as much as hear. While trumpets play the high, bright melodies and trombones fill the middle ranges, the tuba anchors the entire brass section with its powerful low tones. In marching bands, players often carry a specially designed version called a sousaphone that wraps around their body and rests on one shoulder, making it easier to march while playing.

Playing the tuba requires strong lungs and a good sense of rhythm. Tuba players may not always play the melody, but without them, the band's sound would feel hollow and incomplete. Think of the tuba as the foundation of a building: it may not be the flashiest part, but everything else depends on it being solid and steady.