Posted by Mark F. on March 11, 2001 at 23:20:08:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Best Rotary Action? posted by Joseph on March 11, 2001 at 20:57:48:
I'll take this one, and Charlie can add anything I missed.
In my opinion, pistons have a "natural" articulation which happens because of the brief moment in time when there is no air moving thru the valve during the act of pushing the piston down. To say it simply, the air stops. This makes the notes respond a little less smooth, but with more center. The difference is slight, but it is there. If you want to feel the difference, play a slurred scale on a piston trumpet, and then the same scale on a rotary trumpet. The rotary will sound smoother, but the piston will "slot" better.