Posted by AW on September 16, 2003 at 18:48:11:
In Reply to: VALVE SLIDES posted by :) on September 16, 2003 at 15:33:00:
I had a similar problem. My slides were all quite moveable, but it took too much effort to do easily on the fly. Since the first valve slide was the only one I really wanted to move while playing, I took the tuba to a good repairman and explained what I wanted to do. He lapped the first valve slide and vented the first valve. Now the slide is easy to move. By changing the lubricant, I can change the feel of the slide and how much resistance there is to moving. It's now adjusted to my liking.
Now I don't have any excuse; I just have to practice.
Allen Walker