TubeNet

58mark wrote:I play it 2345 and it seems to come out just fine.

Ditto...

I can lip down 1234 if playing with reasonable volume. I can't do it playing softly.

Depends. 2345 + a 6cm pull on 4th valve slide makes it perfect in tune and well centered. 1345 plus zero pull makes it a tad flat, but usable. I use whatever fingering is easiest in the context. This is on a MW Eb

I have always played low F using 5+1+3+4 and have never had a problem playing in tune.

I think there is a bit of cultural difference, in British players growing up with 3+1 tubas naturally lip into tune, rather than pulling slides.

2345 + pull a slide ......

1-3-4-5 and lip up

(I've oftentimes thought that maybe a longer 5th valve circuit might be the answer, but a - that would make for a super-flat E2 2-3-5, and b - my brain is incapable of adjusting all the fingerings of the other notes that would be impacted )

On my B&S pt-22p I had used 1-3-4-5 for low F, and put them all down with a slide pull for low E.

58mark wrote:I play it 2345 and it seems to come out just fine.

same my Willson plays great low Fs with this combo. If I am moving fast and it is for the sake of saving my hand 1234 is also a good alternate but it is sharp.

I use 2345 also and don't use any slide pulling for it. But, as an former brass band player, I am probably used to lip it in tune.

5234, pull 4 (MW 2141)

On my 'Monster' 5v Holton Eb, I just use 2345 with the 5th slide pulled about 5/8" or so for low F. The 5th valve is a typical flat-whole-step. I also sometimes use false/ghost tone 12 or 3 for fast/short low F's. I 'set' my slides on all my tubas, for the best 'compromise' intonation where nothing is too flat or too sharp and usually lippable with minimal/or no slide pumping.