Posted by Michael Russo on May 23, 2001 at 11:34:58:
In Reply to: 5th valve? posted by Wondering on May 23, 2001 at 10:54:38:
It really depends on the type of playing you do. I use my 5th valve all the time! There are many pieces that I don't NEED to use the 5th, but I do anyway. I find that there are many times where I will use the 5th valve as an alternate fingering just because it's easier in the context of the music....going from Eb to Db for example....for me, it's easier to just put down the 5th.
Do you HAVE to have a 5th valve...no way. But, even on the best CC's I've played, the 5th helps with the pitch a lot. I start using my 5th valve on Low F and keep it down. I don't see much use for the 5th on a BBb if all you are doing is normal band work, but if you are planing on playing Prok 5 or 6 or any of the other major works that test the low range, then the 5th valve on a CC does help.
My $.02,
mike russo