Posted by Chris Hall on August 18, 1999 at 19:46:03:
In Reply to: Re: ergonomics of YFB-621 posted by Joshua Wirt on August 18, 1999 at 16:24:59:
It is interesting to see a question about the ergonomics of the tuba. There are many different problems in designing a tuba that works well for varying body shapes and sizes, but valves are usually designed in a way that works well for most. I think Yamaha is one of the greatest pioneers in brass instrument design, however, on both the 621 and 822 the valves are at a bad angle; the 621's valves force one's hand to bend downward, and the 822's make your hands need to bend upward. I have no idea of how to fix the 621,short of doing what Mr. Bobo had done to his. Kevin Powers, the brass technician at Custom Music Co. ( Ferndale, MI : near Detroit ), has made valve caps for the 822 (and the small Hirsbrunner F, which has the same valve layout as the 822) that extend out a little further, thus relieving your hand, wrist, tendons, etc. from PAIN.
I don't think anything like this solution will help on the 621, I'm afraid. Maybe some of the folks out there who play 621's could offer some advice.
Good luck, CJH.