The tuba, the lowest of the brass instruments, was invented in 1835 by the German trombonist Wilhelm Wieprecht. The deeper-cupped mouthpiece and the larger conical and greater width of the bore give the tuba a smoother, rounder and less trenchant tone than that of the trumpet and trombone. Besides a characteristic deep and solemn tone, the tuba is also used occasionally to create humorous or other special effects.