Pitch problems

[Bob Mosso]

My newish Yamaha 321 needs the tuning slide out more than an inch, more than 1.5 niches in warmer weather. In my opinion, most Yamaha euphs (not necessarily the 642) need the main slide out quite a bit to tune to 440. Perhaps its by design, I can tune to 443 by pushing in.

This presented a problem at one summer concert, it was 105+ outdoors. I removed the main slide and reinserted it just enough so I felt it wouldn't fall out. I was still sharp. I've since purchased a Bach mouthpiece extender (for tenor bone) and use it as a tuning bit so I can leave my main slide further in.

I'm not sure what would cause you to go sharp over time. Any build up of gunk inside? Major dents? Have you recently changed mouthpieces?

If it is you causing the sharpness, perhaps some pitch bending exercises could help you establish a new pitch center.

[djwesp]

I have noticed that the main tuning slide has gradually moved outward over the years and is now to the point that I am pulled out almost two inches on my Yamaha euph. It seems that the better shape I get in, the further out I have to pull. Is it common for Yamahas to blow a little sharp or is it me? I am playing a Bowman BB1 on a Yamaha 641 euph. Am I just blowing sharper as I get older? I hate to think that the tuning slide won't be long enough to keep pulling in another 5 to 10 years!

Thanks in advance,

James

I have had the exact same problem on my bass.


My sound is not thin and tinny, i'm not too tight, however the pitch of my horn has gone steadly up. If your sound is still how you like it and the pitch is getting higher and higher take it to a shop. I just got mine back and it is so amazing to play with your sound into the center of the horn and it be in tune (without wrestling the pitch down).

It makes plenty of sense to have tubing added to the main tuning slide, rather than trying to change your playing (if you like the sound) in an attempt to play flatter. I'm sure plenty will disagree with me, but the way I see it my sound is the focus and if I have to maipulate the horn to facilitate the sound I want, I WILL.


Too bad you aren't a violinist, because people would applaud your sharpness.

[djwesp]

Do you guys have your valve slides out far too?

Not really. Most of the time I have to pull a lot on the 1-2 combination, but other than that the slides are pretty "close to home".

(I manipulate the first valve slide a lot--- because playing with a centered sound and playing in tune are too important to give in to the other)

Which makes players that can play in tune without much manipulation, with a brilliant, even sound... even more of a goal to strive for. (until then i'll keep the slide trombone player technique)

[Rick F]

I've often heard that Yamaha's are built on the sharp side. Don't know for sure if that's actually true, but on my YEP-641, the main slide is out about 1-1/8". I've been playing this horn for about 6 years now. I used to have to pull it out about 1-1/2 (for 440), but since switching to a Doug Elliott mpc, it pretty much stays where it is now. Of course living in S. Florida, you don't see alot of temp changes . I haven't noticed the pitch creeping up over time.

I do get my horn serviced once a year where he cleans it out, replaces felts (checks port alignment).