Posted by Jim Andrada on July 05, 2001 at 23:51:18:
In Reply to: MW F Tuba FS posted by Jeff Baker on July 05, 2001 at 21:23:42:
I have a basic question - why 6 valves? I've used a 5-valve instrument in the past, but have always been curious why I sometimes see 6 valve F-tubas
Is there any particular reason why 6 valves are used with F tubas? And how would this compare with the 6 valve French tubas (in C?) one occasionally comes across, ie would the logic behind the 6th valve be similar?
I may be wrong but it seems that high-end BB-flat tubas are quite likely to have only 4 valves, CC tubas seem to quite commonly have 5 valves, and F tubas seem to sometimes have 6. Very puzzling (at least to me!) I have to think there must be some reason, besides just the desire for alternate fingerings. Thanks much