Posted by Chuck(G) on January 16, 2001 at 12:45:12:
In Reply to: Re: Water-logged tuba posted by It ain't spit on January 14, 2001 at 19:29:08:
It sure is spit (or saliva), at least in part! If it were just virgin-pure water vapor effervescing from your bronchial tree, technicians would have far less business (no red rot, no calcium deposits, etc.). But what gets collected in the crooks of your horn is in fact spit with all of the dissolved substances of saliva, including bacteria present.
Try this: With a warmed-up instrument, play through the Arban double-tounging exercises fortissimo. Observe how much water accumulates. Then, play through the same exercises at the same tempo and dynamics, but slur everything. Far less water.
You can't help but aspirate drops of saliva when you tongue and it goes right down the leadpipe. Which is an excellent argument for keeping the inside of your instrument clean.
I think the "it isn't spit" thing got started in response to kids' reactions of "eeeewwww" when introduced to the niceties of the water key...
Anybody have contrary evidence to this?