To simplify, I would say the main advantage of the compensating horn is that you can use "normal" fingerings (probably favoring the Bb side) and theoretically play the full range of the horn. The 5 valve Bb is, for me, a little more of an entertainment. It requires more inventiveness to find fingerings that work well in the low range. Here's the deal, there aren't any notes available on the Bb horn below low B natural until you get down to pedal F. With the 5th valve F extension, you can come up with some fingering combinations that will work for that range. Valve 5 puts you in F, but now all the other valve slides are too short for F horn so, for instance, 5+2+3 won't really give you a low Ab. It'll be way sharp. You could try 5+1+3 instead, or if there's time, you could pull the F extension out farther to prepare a single note. On the fly, It's a little more awkward. The F extension can come in handy elsewhere in the range. For instance 1st valve G can be uncomfortably flat on a Bb horn, 1+3 too sharp. #5 ahhh, just right. Tuba players can hip you to some good fingerings. Their 4th valve serves the same purpose as the F extension for single Bb horn. Hit them up for fingerings on the Wagner tuba too. Don't forget all the wacky options you can use for the 4th (thumb) valve too. Need a flat half step? 3/4 step for stopping? 1/2 step for E horn? You can plug whatever length slide you might desire in there. I've tried some 5 valve Bbs that were just kind of heavy and clunky, no real advantage over a regular double horn but I have a very nice Kruspe 5 valve that handles like a 1930s BMW racing car. I read through a bunch of transcribed James Jamerson bass lines to get the low fingerings into my head. Whew! Fun though.
- Steve Mumford _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
