Posted by Frederick J. Young on May 11, 2003 at 20:59:39:
In Reply to: 3 valve vs. 4 valve for beginner? posted by Steven on May 11, 2003 at 19:36:12:
Get a used three valve compensating instrument so that the student doesn't
have to fight the poor intonation inherent to uncompensated three and four
instruments. On the average the intonation on a three valved compensating
instrument is off by about 2 cents compared to 15 to 25 cents for
uncompensating instruments. The range on any BBb or Eb tuba is sufficient
for beginners to be useful in their bands. Keep in mind that it is must easier
to develop agility on the Eb tuba than the BBb.
With respect to 4 valved tubas be aware that they are compromised in design
to make the extended range down toward the fundamental almost possible. This
causes tem to be more out of tune than the corresponding three valved one.