Posted by Rick Denney on October 16, 2003 at 17:02:13:
In Reply to: Viennese system F questions posted by Sam Gnagey on October 16, 2003 at 08:36:13:
I wonder if it has its roots in Wagnertuben, which were intended for horn players who operate the normal valves with their left hand (even the Viennese hornists). Or maybe the Viennese musician who first used it was a converted (or doubling) horn player.
The Wieprecht tuba seemed to have the normal valves on the right hand (at least 1 and 2), with two for the left. It predates the Viennese instrument by a good margin, and may even predate many applications of the ophicleide.
Rick "thinking that traditions are usually set by famous performers, though have no evidence of such in this case" Denney