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I never recall my lesson teachers in college talking about this, and I've noticed that the people I play with regularly all do this a little differently. So I thought I'd ask the question: When do you valve, as a verb, a note before you play it? For example, you release a note, then have a 4 count rest before entering on another note. When do you depress the valve combo for that note? Just before the attack? One count before? As soon as you are able? Does it really matter?

Personally, I usually time my valves with my breath. So a 2 count breath means I would hold down the new valve combo 2 counts before I attack.

So, what's the tubenet wisdom here?

rollo wrote:When do you valve, as a verb, a note before you play it?

Certainly easier than "valving" after playing the note.

Seriously, the only time I even think of pressing a valve down with any considerable gap of time before actually playing the note is before an entrance. Other times, I certainly try not to put down the valves for a note I haven't played yet, especially in the middle of the note I'm currently playing......

roweenie "trying not to overthink obvious things"

the elephant wrote:
What I want to know is why do you need two full counts to inhale.

It's not that I need 2 counts each and every time. If I have a whole bar of rest between playing though, I will always take at least a 2 count breath. Speaking for myself and no one else, I just find that a more relaxed breath is a better breath, and it's easier to be relaxed when I have more time to accomplish something. That rule isn't hard and fast either; if I find that I am having some trouble with a particular entrance or attack, I'll use a shorter breath in time to assist with that timing.

Already really enjoying the perspectives on this!

nworbekim wrote:If i'm preparing an entrance, i'll press the valves required and "hear" the pitch in my head, get a good breath a couple of beats before the entrance, timing the breath so my lungs are full at the entrance.

What he said...
Why rush the inspiration when it's not necessary?

What if you have vented valves?
The question is moot. I win the car!

This sounds like an awful lot of thinking for something so simple.

Just play when you need to play.

bloke wrote:

bort wrote:This sounds like an awful lot of thinking for something so simple.

Just play when you need to play.

...then you and I agree, as I stated that this is NOT something about which I wish to be consciously aware.

I never heard woodwind players ask this -- even bari sax. Just like general response time, the anticipation for moving valves (keys, even trombone slides) should just be internalized with practice.

I agree with bort on this subject, but here's another interesting question requiring much thought and ponderification(?):
Do you open your mouth before you eat the cake or after you eat the cake? By the way, don't try this with beer or coffee.

eutubabone wrote:Do you open your mouth before you eat the cake or after you eat the cake? By the way, don't try this with beer or coffee.

If you don't open your mouth before you eat the cake, then you can't eat the cake.

If I ever notice my fingers at all, they go down during the time when I'm concentrating on my next entrance, whether it be at the beginning of a piece or during a rest. I don't think about it; it just happens a few seconds before I play.