Dumb question: "branch"

[tokuno]

I ran a search and didn't find, so apologies in advance if this has been answered in another thread.

What's a "branch", and where does it begin and end?
Does "main branch" mean before or after the valve set, and does it include the valve set?
Does a branch always include a bow? Two bows? For instance, is there a "top" branch and a "bottom" branch, or is that the top and bottom of one branch?
If branch means subdivision or section, does that mean the valve slides are branches, too? Can the vertical tube between bows be considered a discrete branch independent of the bows?
Are branches specific to the manufacturing assembly method of a particular horn? E.g. Prior to final bugle assembly, Mfg x lays out sub assemblies of different numbers of connected ferrules, bows, and tubes, each individual assemblage of which they perhaps call a branch, so different branches might consist of different combinations of pieces, depending upon what best fits the assembly method for that particular horn?

Mostly, I want to understand what's meant when someone says something like: "check the 3rd branch"

[Dan Schultz]

The best way I can think of to describe horn nomenclature is to go here and compare the diagrams with the parts lists:

http://www.tubaexchange.com/parts.asp

[Rick Denney]

What's a "branch", and where does it begin and end?

Generally, a loop of tubing. A tuba usually has a leadpipe, valves (each of which has a branch), a tuning slide branch, a dogleg or something similar to line the tuning slide up with the bigger pipes, several main branches, and then the bell stack.

The main branches include the main loops of the bugle downstream from the tuning slide. Some make their loop on the inside of the body, and these are inner branches. They lead ultimately to the upper bow, a straight section, and then the bottom bow, before reaching the bell stack. That big upper-to-bottom-bow loop is the outer branch.

Rick "the lead pipe's connected to the...thigh bone" Denney

[J.c. Sherman]

Bloke +1

[Rick Denney]

I tend to use that term when referring to semi-circular sousaphone/helicon tapered-bore body sections.

I tend to use the term "bows" when referring to the same sorts of parts bent into "U" shapes on tubas.

Me, too, especially when discussing rotary tubas that usually have just one ferrule between the upper and lower bows. But when I use the term "branch", I'm usually referring to an assembly of upper and lower bows and tapered sections that comprise a full loop, just as with a valve branch. It's a loose term, and intentionally so, to give us a way to describe major parts of the bugle without having to be too specific about the design. I certainly use the term "outer branches" for all types of tubas and sousaphones and nobody seems to be confused.

Rick "who owns a Martin with fiber glass outer branches" Denney