'Hayward's microtonal tuba makes possible a huge range of pitch and timbre... An instrument assigned too often to the lugubrious low end of the spectrum, Hayward's tuba is discursive across five octaves.' - The Wire (from review of Tables and Stairs)
Originally conceived by Robin Hayward in 2003, the first fully microtonal tuba was developed in 2009 together with the firm B&S, with support from B&S and the Berliner Senat. The new system makes it possible to play every conceivable pitch throughout the instrument's five-octave range. All tuning systems, both tempered and non-tempered, thus become readily available, and the tuba's timbral potential may be explored independently of its microtonal potential. An exchangeable valve system makes it possible to alternate between the standard and microtonal systems on the same instrument, giving the player time to grow accustomed to the new fingerings whilst maintaining the option of using the standard system. For further details please contact microtonaltuba at online dot de.