Played old Blessing 3 valve. The f is soooo sharp

[Greg Lecewicz]

I just tried an old ( maybe 1920something) big upright bell Blessing silver 3 valve tuba. The horn responds great and all the notes are in tune except the F (6th) is drastically sharp in ALL configurations. Are there ways to fix it? We've tried to play it with different mouthpieces and none made any difference. The main tuning slide is quite short to put a trigger on it.

[emcallaway]

It's a bit inelegant compared to the open F, but try 1+3.

[iiipopes]

If you mean 4th line F, the 6th partial, yes, that is a notoriously sharp partial on many tubas and euphoniums. Yes, as above, try 1+3, especially if you are pulling and setting the 3rd valve slide a little long so that 2+3 will be either in tune or slightly flat, and 1+3 only slightly sharp and lippable.