POLL: Which button do you like to mash?

[Ken Herrick]

The one that gets the strongest reaction.

[TheTuba]

3rd because it equals 1 and 2
Obviously that's better than the rest

The"BBb Miraphone 186"Tuba

[iiipopes]

Actually, I like to mash them all down about half-way and then slur my embouchure so I don't have to worry about learning fingerings of a technical passage. Granted, it occasionally sounds like a moose entered the room when I do this, but, hey, who has time to practice?!!!

[opus37]

I'm a bit disappointed that the 4th valve is not listed. That one, mashed with the pinky finger, is rather satisfying. Especially when I remember I actually have one of those. (Note to Bloke: yes, I mean both pinky finger and 4th valve. I suspect you were wondering what I meant.)

[iiipopes]

Here's a question. On a BBb tuba, why is pressing the 3rd valve instead of 1 & 2 frowned upon?

It all has to do with Gb, Db, low C and low F on non-compensated tubas and 4-valve comp tubas (since 1, 2, and 3 either alone or in combination work the same, since the compensation only works on 4th valve combinations). Since pitch is geometric and not linear, if 3rd valve were "dead" in tune on either a non-comp tuba or a 4-valve comp tuba, then Gb and Db fingered 2+3 would be sharp, and as we all know, 1+3 low C and low F below the staff are sharp. So the third valve slide is pulled to split the difference between notes fingered 2+3 and 1+3 so they can be lipped in. As a consequence, you can't use 3rd valve alone to play G or D, because it will be flat.

By contrast, this is NOT the case with 3-valve comp tubas. The Besson 3-valve comp I used to own was actually better in tune when G and D were played 3rd valve alone, because the comp loops went through the 3rd valve, keeping everything else in tune, and as a consequence the 3rd valve slide did not have to be pulled to get 2+3 or 1+3 in tune. Because of this, 1st and 2nd valves were also tuned "dead," so that G and D were actually slightly sharp when played 1+2, instead of 3rd alone.

[TheTuba]

Here's a question. On a BBb tuba, why is pressing the 3rd valve instead of 1 & 2 frowned upon?

I think it's how kids are taught
I personally use 3rd valve for D below the staff, by I get increased resonance and response. Plus I can manage the intonation on that note better

[Three Valves]

Asks the master button pusher/masher himself!!

[THE TUBA]

I'm a big fan of 2+3+5

[humBell]

Is there a potato button?

I only have eyes for that...

[iiipopes]

Is there a potato button?

I only have eyes for that...

Yeah, that is what the potato told the female sheep.

[roweenie]

Is there a potato button?

I only have eyes for that...

Yes, the potato button would likely be found on a tuber.

Personally, I have no skin in this half-baked game.

[roweenie]

I wouldn't recommend putting your butt-on a potato(e).

That is sure one dan-dy of a quayle you've got there.

Are puns his only vice, or is there a precedent for others (like alternate spelling of words?)

[humBell]

I wouldn't recommend putting your butt-on a potato(e).

But butter is better, i bet.

I'd happily butter me spuds and unbutton me waistcoat... were i so fancily attired.

Loosen my draw string is perhaps a trifle more accurate.

Nothing like a good mash!

[iiipopes]

But butter is better, I bet.

Betty Botta bought a bit of butter;
“But,” she said, “this butter's bitter!
If I put it in my batter
It will make my batter bitter.
But a bit o’ better butter
Will make my batter better.”
Then she bought a bit o’ butter
Better than the bitter butter,
Made her bitter batter better.
So ’twas better Betty Botta
Bought a bit o’ better butter.

[TheTuba]

But butter is better, I bet.

Betty Botta bought a bit of butter;
“But,” she said, “this butter's bitter!
If I put it in my batter
It will make my batter bitter.
But a bit o’ better butter
Will make my batter better.”
Then she bought a bit o’ butter
Better than the bitter butter,
Made her bitter batter better.
So ’twas better Betty Botta
Bought a bit o’ better butter.

All of this s*** for some butter????

[humBell]

...

I only have eyes for ewe...

Oh, that's what he meant.

That's one suave potato!

[iiipopes]

But butter is better, I bet.

Betty Botta bought a bit of butter;
“But,” she said, “this butter's bitter!
If I put it in my batter
It will make my batter bitter.
But a bit o’ better butter
Will make my batter better.”
Then she bought a bit o’ butter
Better than the bitter butter,
Made her bitter batter better.
So ’twas better Betty Botta
Bought a bit o’ better butter.

All of this s*** for some butter????

Only if you don't know the difference.

[iiipopes]

Is there a potato button?
I only have eyes for that...

Yeah, that is what the potato told the female sheep.

I only have eyes for ewe...

[MaryAnn]

I only mash potatoes, but I usually use 3 instead of 1+2, because I prefer instruments with wider slots. Wider slots are simply easier to play in tune without doing gymnastics, and I can tune the preferred 3rd valve to slot where I want it to.

[MaryAnn]

I wouldn't recommend putting your butt-on a potato(e).

I have a yard full of the real thing, the Gambel's quail. Except they are outnumbered by the lizards and the tarantulas and the ground squirrels and the pack rats and the javelina.