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I've been playing my King 1241 for a few weeks now and have been getting used to the 4th valve and using my pinky finger. For middle Cs and low Fs, I have used exclusively the 4th valve to become more comfortable with it. So far, so good. Just got to find more music with those Cs and Fs and with faster notes.

I'm going to post a poll here about the fourth valve. Share any stories or suggestions after you vote.

Hank74 wrote: . . .Just got to find more music with those Cs and Fs and with faster notes.

. . .Share any stories or suggestions after you vote.

Hey, Hank. Arbans is a great way to get used to playing and using the fourth valve. Also, there are a number of the Rochut exercises that you can do that will get you using the fourth valve in a melodic context . . . especially if you take them down two octaves from the trombone version. . .

Personally, I don't like the "3+1" or "four on top" four valve tubas. It's nearly impossible to adjust any slide when the valves are located there . . . plus I find that the whole top action thing adds tension to my shoulder.

I played a rotary tuba for a few months a while back. I agree with you that rotary valves are easier to play, like a Mirafone. Speaking of which, I'd like to have one of those down the road. For now, I'll settle on my King BAT.

Hey Yamaha, based on what these results are showing, you should consider changing the position of your valves on those famous top action tubas used in band class.

After 20+ years of playing rotary valve horns, I have returned to top-action pistons (proud owner of YBB 321 and Conn 25J). For me, they're faster, more comfortable, and very low maintenance. Yes there was some strain on my shoulder at first, but I think its a matter of getting used to playing a top-action horn again. I do some stretching before I start playing and my shoulder feels fine.

JJ

The old adage holds true: 1+3=4.

When I got back into tuba playing, finding a 4-valve I liked was difficult because my index finger slightly curves in (hardly noticable, but I can definitely feel it after an hour on most .750+ front-valve tubas), and my pinky is short and also curved in.

4-pistons were out. Because I'm left-handed, 3+1 is out due to my left hand wanting to take over. I played 3-valve souzys until I got my Besson 3-valve comp. Then I finally got the 186, had the paddles adjusted to my fingers in all three axes of orientation, and life is good.

The good side of this is it led me to making the upper loop of the 1st valve circuit of a Conn souzy block into an adjustible slide to deal with intonation.

Oh, yeah -- preference -- within the confines of this particular poll, 4-rotors front.