Eb in Quintet

[Tom Holtz]

I love my 983 in quintet settings, but must confess, it makes me work a lot harder to play low rapid passages. It's ergonomics, pure and simple.

For me it's the opposite. I've been playing on an Ambassador 3+1 config for almost a month now at work, trying to get the hang of incorporating my left index finger into the mix, and it's not happening. It all seems easier with 4 on the front than 3+1.

[Donn]

It primarily involves to what we are accustomed.

Perhaps...?? (if we were accustomed to it) one logical set-up on tubas would be to have the so-called "4th valve" be operated by a thumb trigger, as the thumb is probably more nimble than the pinky...

Yeah, that's why the bassoon is so easy to play!

My main problem with my little finger is my ring finger - when the little finger goes down, the ring finger follows. 124 is hard with long throw pistons.

[Alex C]

I love my 983 in quintet settings, but must confess, it makes me work a lot harder to play low rapid passages. It's ergonomics, pure and simple.

For me it's the opposite. I've been playing on an Ambassador 3+1 config for almost a month now at work, trying to get the hang of incorporating my left index finger into the mix, and it's not happening. It all seems easier with 4 on the front than 3+1.

You may have bilateral integration dysfunction. Though not universally referred to by this name, it is a recognized physiological disorder.

It isn't that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing, the problem is that you cannot coordinate the two. That explains my dreadful piano juries and the lack of any hint of success on woodwinds. It might also explain your issues. Practice will not make it better, go see an Occupational Therapist, explain the coordination problem, and see if you can get treated. It may help. It may not.

I played a Boosey & Hawkes 982 for 10 years and could never manage the fourth valve, and had no clue as to why. I met my (now) wife, who is an Occupational Therapist, and she immediately diagnosed the probable cause. "Yeah, I treat kids who have this every week. Easy to fix unless you're an adult."

I eventually sold my wonderful Boosey & Hawkes, defeated by the left hand 4th valve.

[Wyvern]

You may have bilateral integration dysfunction. Though not universally referred to by this name, it is a recognized physiological disorder.

It isn't that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing, the problem is that you cannot coordinate the two.

Bad luck for any British players who are almost universally brought up with the 3+1 configuration.

Although for a few it may be a medical problem, my personal experience is that which works is a lot down to what the player is familiar. I for 30 years played 3+1 configuration tubas, without problem. At first when I got a front valve tuba I found the four in a line slower, but over the last three years have got completely comfortable with front valves. When I recently tried a friend's 3+1 tuba, I found I now have problems with hand co-ordination, as I have not played such a set-up for the last year.

I think with time and practice most players can get used to either set-up - although no doubt in my mind, that front valves are far better ergonomically.

[MaryAnn]

I find that with 4 in-line piston valves, I have speed/reach/coordination problems with that darn pinky valve.
With the pinky rotor I can just slam away at it and it works. Maybe it's because I played piano since I was little, which admittedly is much more similar to rotors than pistons in terms of action of the hand.

MA

[Alex C]

I for 30 years played 3+1 configuration tubas, without problem. At first when I got a front valve tuba I found the four in a line slower, but over the last three years have got completely comfortable with front valves. When I recently tried a friend's 3+1 tuba, I found I now have problems with hand co-ordination, as I have not played such a set-up for the last year.

I think with time and practice most players can get used to either set-up - although no doubt in my mind, that front valves are far better ergonomically.

I can diagnose from this distance that you probably do not have bilateral integration dysfunction.

It is helpful for the teacher and the musician to know that there are people who cannot "get used" to 3+1. Time and practice will not bring a high degree of success to the individual who has this type dysfunction.

It is not a matter of getting used to to it; until the physiological dysfunction is treated and "cured" (or coping mechanisms are found) exceptional ability will not be realized.

These people also cannot expect to play piano or clarinet well (like, who wants to?) and they may have the additional problem of getting "right" and "left" continually mixed up.

I wonder how many students failed on instruments that required two hands when, if properly diagnosed, they could have been assigned an instrument where they had a chance of success. I doubt one band or orchestra director in a hundred is aware of this type dysfunction.