Alternate Fingering vs. Slide Pulling

harrell · Post by **harrell** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 6:54 pm

I spent five years on a CC that I had to pull slides often. Then I got an old 6 valve German F, where practically every note was an alt. fing. but it sounded great. I finally wised up and started using alternate fingerings everywhere I could on both horns. Much better. Unless the alt. fing. makes the tone change, go for the alt. fing.

vmi5198 · Post by **vmi5198** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:07 pm

I guess the best answer I can give is that I do both. Do whatever you need to do to sound in tune - whether it is pulling slides or alternate fingerings, or standing on your head - play in tune.

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:29 pm

Jonathantuba wrote:As one has no spare hands playing a 3+1 tuba

Ok, you guys who always put up pictures....how about a picture for this one?

MA

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:48 pm

MaryAnn wrote:
Jonathantuba wrote:As one has no spare hands playing a 3+1 tuba
Ok, you guys who always put up pictures....how about a picture for this one?

I don't have a picture; but I can describe it. Valves 1,2 and 3 are upright and operated by the right hand. Valve 4 is on the left side of the tuba and operated by the left hand.

Found a picture: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 48164&rd=1

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:32 pm

[quote="Jonathantuba"
However, it shows how a 3+1 tuba is held. The left hand operates the fourth valve.
[/quote]

Cannot see the valve in the picture, it it thumb or index finger operating the 4th valve?

I'm guessing index finger, like a 3+1 euphonium, but ...

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:47 pm

ThomasDodd wrote:I'm guessing index finger, like a 3+1 euphonium, but ...

Yup. It's the same plan as a compensating euphonium.

Rick "who can't seem to get his left forefinger connected to his brain" Denney

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:48 pm

I think "alternate fingerings" is a misnomer. There are fingering charts which show fingerings that frequently work for various tubas. However, I always regarded them as starting points. Tubas vary greatly one from another, and it is unreasonable to expect one set of fingerings to work for all of them.

Instead of "alternate fingerings," I would rather say "fingerings that work," or "fingerings for this tuba."

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:59 am

Allen wrote:I think "alternate fingerings" is a misnomer. There are fingering charts which show fingerings that frequently work for various tubas.

Alternate fingerings or slide poitions, bothe do the same thing. I think alternate is the best word for it. Most of the fingering charts how only the shorted length bugle where the desired pitch appears in the overtone series, with preference to the lower numbvered overtones (partials).

Assuming a perfectly in tune overtone series(not possible), there are many ways to play a given note. Like 1+ 3 or open for F (bottm of the staff)(BBb horn), 1(2)4, 23 or open for BBb (in staff), 1 or 1+3 for C in the staff. Those altenativs use different overtones on the length, so are true alternatives. More valves (especially a 4th) add new bugle lengths to choose from.*

This is truly a "6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other" situation.

Other altenates deal with the fact that lower frequencies need porportionaly larger drops to move X semitones. So 1st and 2nd valves are in tune, but 1+2 is a little too short but 3 is correct. Or 123 or 24? These are not really alternates, since neither gives the correct length, but one is closer, and reguires less adjustment to fix.

* BTW does anyone know of a listing of the overtone series for all combinations of 4 valves on a BBb horn? I know I could make one, but if one is out there already...

TubeNet

Alternate Fingering vs. Slide Pulling

With everything else being equal (tone, etc.) would you rather use an alternate fingering ro pull a slide to bring a note into tune.

fingerings