Tuning Question

[Acemorgan]

I have a Wessex Dolce, which a copy of the Yamaha 642. When I tune up, my main slide is out about an inch and a half, my 1st valve slide is out about half an inch, my 2nd valve slide (the super short one) is not pulled at all, but my really long 3rd slide is also not pulled at all.

What is the deal with that 3rd slide? Of course, I get why the tubing itself has to be as long as it is, but why is the slide just as long? Is it just a standard thing to match the inner with the outer? I can't imagine when I might need that much slide

[davewerden]

Funny you should ask about the long 3rd valve slide - I just did a blog post about that a few days ago, including a demonstration of a way to use it:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...lliams-Romanza

[Acemorgan]

Thanks, I will check out that post. 😀

[DaveBj]

Dr. Richard Demy uses that long slide to achieve quarter-tones for doing Arabic music on the euphonium. He had a video on FB a couple years ago, but unfortunately it's not on YT.

[tbonesullivan]

It seems the "long 3rd valve slide" is also carried over into British Style Eb and BBb tubas. I looked at a 3 valve compensating Boosey & Hawkes last weekend, and even on that the 3rd valve slide is LONG. It's even got a spot marked about 3/4 inch out, which I guess is "standard" tuning.

Now if only Yamaha had decided to put a spit valve on the 3rd valve slide of the 631 BBb tuba...