3rd valve = 2 steps, 4th = 3 steps?

[Bob Mosso]

What do you think about tuning a 4 valve non-comp a bit differently?

Pull out the 3rd and 4th slides an extra 1/2 step and use the following fingerings:

0 2nd partial
2
1
12
3
23 (+10 cents)
4
24 (+20 cents)
124 (-15 cents)
34
134 (-20 cents)
1234 (+15 cents)
0 1st partial/pedal

Normally a 4 valve non-comp would be:
0 2nd partial
2
1
12
23
4
24 (+15 cents)
124 (-30 cents)
234 (-15 cents)
134 (+15 cents)
1234 (+50 cents or not playable)
not playable
0 1st partial/pedal

Why not?

Bob

[Donn]

My valves are somewhere between what you call normal, and your proposal. The 4th and 3rd valves are flatter, to make 13 a fourth and 14 a fifth. So you wouldn't use 4 alone as a fourth any more than you would use 3 alone for a minor third.

Here's my normal on the left, yours on the right. Same problem at the bottom, but I think fewer problems with the rest. I don't know about normal, but I don't think I made this up myself.

<pre>
0 0 2nd partial
2 2
1 1
12 12
23 23
13 4
24 24 (+15 cents)
14 124 (-30 cents)
34 234 (-15 cents)
134 134 (+15 cents)
1234 1234 (+50 cents or not playable)
not playable
0 0 1st partial/pedal
</pre>

So anyway, you're playing your tuba with that alternate valve tuning you propose? Does it work for you?

[hurricane_harry]

i've seen guys who have it set up so that they can tune while playing. maybe thats an option

[windshieldbug]

i've seen guys who have it set up so that they can tune while playing. maybe thats an option

That's the only way to fly! How you get there is a matter of personal choice.

[Bob Mosso]

If I recall the piece correctly it was Exalete (spelling?) that started me on this subject. The euph part has a decending run that ends up on low B, just a 1/2 step above pedal Bb. It got me thinking, how can I play it... The second time thru the piece I just listened to see what other voices had the same line, would 8va sound acceptable... I didn't hear anyone else playing it...

The decending line is too fast to pull slides. So I figured the best solution was to set the slides in advance. Hence the new fingerings.

I've tuned this way, played scales, verified the tuning/fingerings, it works. But, my slides are all the way out and are likely to fall out. To make it work for a rehearsal or performance I'll need to have longer slides fabricated.

[Doug@GT]

Dumb question ahead:

Do euphoniums have false tones, like tubas? If so, that might be an option.