Posted by Michael Russo on August 28, 2000 at 10:19:00:
In Reply to: Compensating system. posted by Wants to know more on August 28, 2000 at 08:30:32:
I just rewrote the frequently asked euphonium questions for the next Brasswind catalog. Here's what I said:
Q. What is the difference between a compensating and
a non-compensating Euphonium?
A. A compensating euphonium simply adds extra tubing
to "compensate" for the low
register tendency of being sharp. When the 4th valve
is depressed, air is redirected
through an auxiliary set of slides on valves 1 through
3, when they are used. These
auxiliary slides lower the pitch even more to help
bring the lower notes closer to in tune.
A non-compensating euphonium has a 4th valve that acts
as any other valve. In this case,
the pitch is lowered by 2 1/2 steps. Any other
adjustment needed to bring the low range
in tune must be done by the performer.
Anything I should add? I tried to make it as simple as possible.
mike russo
tuba specialist - Brasswind
(800) 348-5003 ex. 2266