3 valves or 4?

[toobagrowl]

Lastly, if you've played those two Kings pictured, I think the front valve instrument is so bad as to be nearly unplayable and sounds terrible. The other is... more playable but still sounds awful IMHO.

When I started on tuba in middle school (after first starting on percussion and trombone) we had 2 sousaphones and 2 tubas: an old half-lacquered-half-tarnished Conn 20K, an old mostly-raw-brass Continental Colonial, an old 1/2 or small 3/4 Yamaha top action tuba with the bottom bow smushed flat and a top action King 1140 in decent shape. All horns were in BBb and 3 valves. The Continental Colonial souzy was the favorite with the small King and Yamaha tied for 3rd. I was always careful with the horns but some of the other tuba players managed to crease and bend back the rim edge of the bell on the King by putting it on the floor too hard. I took the King home and more or less smacked the bell into shape by hitting the inside of the bell with the handle of a hammer.
The little King isn't the greatest horn, but certainly small, light, playable and easy to get a "good" sound by most middle schoolers. I'd say it's almost perfect for middle school for those reasons. The nicer 4-valvers should wait until high school or later...

[SousaSaver]

I would like to say this -

You can play on three valve Tubas just fine BUT four valve Tubas ARE better for playing in tune.

The reason that Trumpet players can play 1+3 and 1+2+3 valve combination notes in tune is because they can kick out the 3rd slide about an inch to an inch and a half. Now, imagine that same distance on Tuba WITHOUT a fourth valve. That is a long way to play to pull to play those notes in tune.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[J.c. Sherman]

I would like to say this -

You can play on three valve Tubas just fine BUT four valve Tubas ARE better for playing in tune.

The reason that Trumpet players can play 1+3 and 1+2+3 valve combination notes in tune is because they can kick out the 3rd slide about an inch to an inch and a half. Now, imagine that same distance on Tuba WITHOUT a fourth valve. That is a long way to play to pull to play those notes in tune.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

A tuba doesn't play in tune - a tubist does.

And many of us do pull our 1st slides to improve tone; it's not a prohibitive technique. Just like many trumpet players use a trigger only on their 1st slide.

[SousaSaver]

I would like to say this -

You can play on three valve Tubas just fine BUT four valve Tubas ARE better for playing in tune.

The reason that Trumpet players can play 1+3 and 1+2+3 valve combination notes in tune is because they can kick out the 3rd slide about an inch to an inch and a half. Now, imagine that same distance on Tuba WITHOUT a fourth valve. That is a long way to play to pull to play those notes in tune.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

A tuba doesn't play in tune - a tubist does.

And many of us do pull our 1st slides to improve tone; it's not a prohibitive technique. Just like many trumpet players use a trigger only on their 1st slide.

JC -

I think there may have been a mis-communication. I am FOR using the 1st slide. And I agree that Tuba players are the ones who play in tune.

Being VERY specific here, it is much easier to play concert B natural in tune on a BBb Tuba using 2+4 than it is to use 1+2+3.

Thanks to everyone for the honest replies. Good constructive criticism helps keep people honest and sharp (pun intended).

[J.c. Sherman]

Allow me to further clarify - if your 1+3 is in tune, 1+3+2 = 4+2, if your 4th is a perfect 4th. Also, with 2+4, you often don't have access to something quickly to yank 4 or 2 on the fly, but you can often yank 1 further, thereby 1+3+2 > 4+2, or better in tune.

YMMV. If you tune 4 flat for an in-tune 2+4, then you cannot use it alone, but can use 1+3 instead. On some horns, this is a great solution (Alexanders leap to mind), but for many instruments, I've not found this as elegant. But, regardless, you can place the B (on a BBb) where it belongs regardless (at whatever A=xxx standard you are play at, with whatever mouthpiece you choose (though some will make tuning more challenging physically) as long as you're in control.

[SousaSaver]

Allow me to further clarify - if your 1+3 is in tune, 1+3+2 = 4+2, if your 4th is a perfect 4th. Also, with 2+4, you often don't have access to something quickly to yank 4 or 2 on the fly, but you can often yank 1 further, thereby 1+3+2 > 4+2, or better in tune.

YMMV. If you tune 4 flat for an in-tune 2+4, then you cannot use it alone, but can use 1+3 instead. On some horns, this is a great solution (Alexanders leap to mind), but for many instruments, I've not found this as elegant. But, regardless, you can place the B (on a BBb) where it belongs regardless (at whatever A=xxx standard you are play at, with whatever mouthpiece you choose (though some will make tuning more challenging physically) as long as you're in control.

JC -

That's sound advice!