Agreed. For me it is not a "change" anyway, because I have used 3 for the middle G for many years on Besson, Sterling, and Adams. Most of the time. I can manage 12 in many passages if I just pull it down. But recently I tried to use it when I shouldn't have.
Here are a pair of movie songs (from Superman and Peter Pan) that we turned into a medley based on the theme of flying. ("Can You Read My Mind" is generally called the "Flying Sequence from Superman.") and the song "I'm Flying" is a natural fit. During the second song I was experimenting with using 1&2 for concert G (because of the context) on my new Adams E3, which taught me I still want to use 3 on that note! Part of that is due to me trying to put plenty of energy into that sustained G, which in Dave's World can result in sharpness on any note. But here the 3 would actually have been the easier finger anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6bIGq7rzqc
Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
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2007 Besson Prestige 2052, 3D+ K&G mouthpiece; JP373 baritone, 4B modified K&G mouthpiece; Bach 42GO trombone, T4C K&G mouthpiece; 1973 Besson New Standard 3 compensated valves, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece; Wessex French C tuba, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece.
I am not in favour of main tuning slide triggers on euphoniums, because I don’t think the slide is suitable - it is too wide and too short for the purpose making a tendency to stick, or leak.
Wessex are looking at alternatives for the new fully hand-made compensated euphonium we are currently developing.
In the mean time, I think the EP100 Dolce does quite well without a trigger. I know when we did a trigger version, it was a pain!
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That's an interesting statement! I'm curious to see if you can find a better solution, partly because I agree with your assessment of the mechanical disadvantages of the current trigger systems. The real trick is to find a way to tune down (and adding "up" would be wonderful) a practical amount while still maintaining the conical bore profile.
Dave Werden (ASCAP)
Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
Adams Artist (Adams E3)
Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
YouTube: dwerden
Facebook: davewerden
Twitter: davewerden
Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium
Just idly curious how much the leadpipe could be "extended" in some sort of trigger arrangement in which the left hand could "squeeze" a device. Sort of like some trumpet 3rd valve slides are extended -- rather than "kicking out" the slide, the gizmo is "squeezed" to extend the tubing.
I'm obviously no brass tech, but I'm wondering if the pitch can be significantly lowered (or raised) with minimal movement vice the main tuning slide.
U.S. Army, Retired (built mid-1950s)
Adams E2 Euph (built 2017)
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euph (built 1941)
Edwards B454 Bass Trombone (built 2012)
Boosey & Hawkes Imperial Eb tuba (built 1958)
Kanstul 33-T lBBb tuba (built 2010)
On my horn High D doesn't want to come out for some reason, I've used every fingering under the sun and only 2nd valve works however it is extremely sharp so thankfully I do have my trigger to lower that pitch because up in that register it is sort of hard to bend pitches to where you want them.
Jake Herbell
Music Education Major at Cleveland State University
Besson Prestige 2052, Warburton Miraphone BT16
Yamaha 621-S Baritone
Olds Super Trombone
P-Bone Mini Purple
2007 Besson Prestige 2052, 3D+ K&G mouthpiece; JP373 baritone, 4B modified K&G mouthpiece; Bach 42GO trombone, T4C K&G mouthpiece; 1973 Besson New Standard 3 compensated valves, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece; Wessex French C tuba, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece.
2007 Besson Prestige 2052, 3D+ K&G mouthpiece; JP373 baritone, 4B modified K&G mouthpiece; Bach 42GO trombone, T4C K&G mouthpiece; 1973 Besson New Standard 3 compensated valves, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece; Wessex French C tuba, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece.
I have a Sterling Virtuoso with a trigger and for the rare circumstance I need it, I'm especially glad I have it at my disposal. I use it more to match other instruments that are out of tune than to flatten sharp pitches coming from the Sterling.
James Kircoff
Genesee Wind Symphony - principal euphonium (Adams E3 Custom .60mm yellow brass bell w/ K&G 3.5)
Capital City Brass Band (2019 NABBA 2nd section champions) - 1st baritone (Besson BE956 w/ Denis Wick 6BY)