Leslie <lesliemantr...@optonline.net> wrote: Fortunately there WAS a pop. However, on about three or four of the slides, there was also a hiss following the pop. Does this mean I need to get my values rebuilt?
When you pull either a F or Bb valve slide, if the other slide on that value is still installed, it may be that pulling the slide sucks some air from the closed slide on the other side of the horn. Air sucked from the main branch of the F or Bb horn would not cause a hiss, since those branches are open to the outside air. It is important to realize that there are two kinds of leaks. A worn valve allows air to leak in both directions. This kind of leak can cause wolfs or poor definition on various harmonics, making the instrument difficult and unreliable. Repair requires replating and relapping and/or all the other very expensive treatments that quality repair shops like to do. (Don't let your neighborhood guitar/woodwind repair shop attempt replating your valves. Ship to one of the quality horn repair shops.) The other kind of leak is simply a corroded hole in tubing, or a corroded solder joint. These are common on old horns, or very badly manufactured not-so-old horns. You can check for this kind of leak by plugging the bell of the horn and blowing into the mouthpiece end. Use significant pressure, but be careful not to blow out any loose slides onto a concrete floor. If you can feel or hear any air escaping, you have a leak. See if an assistant can locate the leak by sound. This kind of leak can generally be repaired inexpensively with a glob of solder, or even temporarily with duct tape, or better by properly by having a competent repairperson dismantle the horn, clean the joint, and resolder. The easiest way I know to run this test is to place a small piece of kitchen plastic wrap over the wide end of your stopping mute, and securely inserting the mute into the bell. This seals the bell better than other methods. This is the most important use I have ever found for my stopping mute. Plastic wrap, on the other hand, has many important uses, most others involving food rather than horns. _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
