Posted by Jay Bertolet on January 14, 2003 at 19:05:33:
In Reply to: Flatted-Whole-Step Fifth Valve posted by Brent Herhold on January 14, 2003 at 18:22:55:
I don't think you missed any evolution, you may have just worked in an area that wasn't as exposed to it. I can't say from any first-hand knowledge because I've never lived on the west coast (where your current email address shows you to be from), certainly not during the last 30+ years, but my understanding is that the Miraphone tubas were extremely popular there during the 70's through the early 80's. Perhaps someone with first-hand knowledge will comment on that aspect. However, I can give you a different perspective than the one I suspect you have, that of someone who grew up in that same time period in the midwest. For me, the 2-step 5th valve was the aberration. The only horns I knew of during that time that had only the 2-step 5th were the Miraphones. Everybody else had either a flat whole-step 5th or one that could be converted either way. The fact that Miraphone now offers the flat whole-step 5th tells me that they see the popularity of that configuration as well.
To me, the flat whole-step makes the most mechanical sense, in that it is easy to quickly incorporate into ones fingering patterns. For example, we use a 5th valve primarily to play the low range in tune because the horn gets progressively sharp the lower you go. Substituting a 5th valve for a 1st valve in any such fingering (using the flat whole-step configuration) will yield the same note but a quarter step lower. Do you see the additive nature of that setup? Conversely, to use a 2-step 5th, you need to have a set chart beforehand that you've worked out. For me, it just isn't as intuitive swapping a 2-3 for a 5th (usually a sharp 2-3). Further, that intuitiveness is something I bank on. Having to adjust pitches in smaller increments, as I sometimes do in an ensemble setting, means that having the combination of a 1-step valve and a 1.25-step valve makes for very quick adjustments of pitches that can't be fixed by simple slide pulling. I can do this on the fly, whatever the situation, because I understand the additive nature of the approach.
I suppose that folks who are a lot more experienced with the 2-step setup probably feel about their horns exactly the way I do about mine. Again, it all comes down to what you understand best, what you are used to, and what works best for you.
My opinion for what it's worth...