The tuba is the lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibration – a buzz – into a mouthpiece. It first appeared in the mid-19th century, making it one of the newer instruments in the modern orchestra and concert band. Like the trumpet, the pitch is controlled by 3 valves (occasionally 4 depending on the key of the tuba). Unlike other brass instruments tuba players often have instruments in a variety of keys, from smaller F and Eb tubas to large C and double Bb tubas. Tubas also come in a variety of configurations from bells which face up to huge bells that flare forward. One of the members of the tuba family, the Sousaphone actually wraps around the player and sits on their shoulder to make it more comfortable for long marching performances. You can find tubas in orchestras, brass bands, marching bands, concert bands and even some traditional jazz bands.