Posted by js on November 21, 2002 at 23:51:34:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Strange Tuba posted by Rick Denney on November 21, 2002 at 21:35:06:
Though I certainly don't approach them this way, the six-valve F tubas are practically double tubas. The fact that the two different "first" valves and two different "second" valves are all operated by different fingers (rather than "stacked" like in a double French horn) really doesn't un-define six-valve F tubas as "double" tubas. The fourth valve functions as the "switch" valve, because it adds the amount required to put the tuba in the key of CC. This is no different from a "double" horn, because (just like the six-valve F tuba) the "switch" valve tubing on a double French horn is simply a cylindrical loop that is inserted into the (Bb - 9 foot) conical bugle to make an (F - 12 foot) conical-cylindrical combo bugle.
The fact that six valve F tuba doesn't have a CC "third" valve is virtually moot, because that particular valve is really not needed at all to play anything...
...For that matter, the 5-valve CC tubas are actually abbreviated "double" CC/GG tubas.