Posted by Mark in Ohio on March 04, 2001 at 17:48:41:
Bows and Branches and ferrules, Oh my! (chant as just off the Yellow Brick Road)
Just a couple questions so that I may be sure-footed terminology arises:
When speaking of tuba construction and wrap layout, are "branches" the same as "bows"?
For example, most "American" wrap and lots of European tubas have six 180 degree turns (or "bows") after the main tuning slide; Some of the tall-body Euro/English style Tubas have four (cannot be lap-held unless you're reeeaaly tall).
Would these Tubas have the same number of branches as what I've called "bows", or are Branches the straight-section tapers, or a combo of bows and straight tapers?
Also, when one refers to #__ branch, does the counting start at the bell or the valve end of the tuba? My recent re-reading of Karl Kleinstuber's home-brew tubas for the hundredth time (Tool Time for tuba geeks!) inspired me to finally ask.
My thanks to all on this forum for the continuing education!
Sincerely,
Mark "I'd rather have a tapered reamer than a reamed taper, If ya know what I mean" Mazak