Simon Varnam <simonvar...@gmail.com> wrote: Yes , but if the longer F valves are on the inside the 3rd slide will hit the bell.
I agree this is a problem, but various solutions have been found, for instance curving the 3rd valve slides the other way, back towards the player. Or projecting them off into the 3rd dimension, since the three valve configuration was finalized long before aircraft, screw bells, and flight cases. > The conventional answer is that when valves were first developed, the > 1st valve was the first to be added. But is this true of horns? I've seen pictures of trumpets with 1 or 2 valves, but not of horns. I don't think this matters. I've certainly seen and played single-valve bugles [sic]. Once the three valve system was developed, and players' reflexes became accustomed, it would have been very hard to change. The natural agility of one or another tentacle matters when first learning a discipline, but then you spend a decade or so doing exercise to develop equivalent reflexes in each of the six or seven fingers. Ask any competent pianist, if you can get him away from Hanon long enough to respond to the question. I suspect that the natural horn held out until the present order had evolved in other instruments. I agree, probably so, although it would be nice if some of the instrument historians on this list could back us up with some historical evidence. > The index finger is the most dextrous, and works the important 1st > valve. That is debatable. I'd rather trill on my middle finger than first. Or else I've been dealt a bad hand... did I really say that... sorry! :-) I generally prefer a lip trill rather than 1st valve for whole step trills. But that's probably because when I'm playing I generally know where my embouchure is more or less what it's doing -- I have only one -- but I'd have to think which hand is the correct one to wiggle one or another finger. Confusing! Valves are highly overrated. _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
