Posted by Mike Solms on May 12, 1999 at 10:43:04:
In Reply to: Another penny-for-your-thoughts topic: posted by Joe S. on May 11, 1999 at 22:48:27:
For me, a bigger ergonomic consideration is how far away from the
bell throat they locate the valve cluster. On some horns, like the
PT-6P or the Mel Culbertson Neptune, you have quite a reach across
the horn to get to the valves. The result, at least for me, is a
lot more weight supported by my left hand and a "bell down" playing
position. The way my orchestra sits this would leave my bell
pointing pretty much right at the right elbow of our basest bassist.
Positioning the valve buttons closer to the bell, like the M/W's or
rotary horns seems to me to give you better balance and more
flexibility on where you point your horn.