Tuba

Tuba 1. trumpet of ancient Rome, identical with the Gk. salpinx, primarily a signal instr. of the legions (infantry troops). The straight body had a conical bore terminating in a slight flare. Tubae were made of bronze generally, rarely of iron, and were played with a detachable bone mouthpiece. They also played a part in temple services; temple trumpeters, tubicines sacrorum, had the rank of priests. Ca. 125 cm. (4 ft.) long. See also: tube, tubecta (21, 170); 2. in ethnomusicology any…