Posted by Rick Denney on July 18, 2000 at 23:55:12:
In Reply to: Re: Kanstul CC posted by art on July 18, 2000 at 20:59:36:
It's not an easy target to hit. I can palm a basketball, and can easily reach an octave and a third on the piano. The 621 valve arrangement falls naturally on my hand, with no bending or discomfort. The valves are arranged generally parallel to the centerline of the horn's body, ala most modern piston horns. When the valves are high on the instrument, they need more of a diagonal position. The York Master has that diagonal valve arrangement, but I find the fourth valve button a reach and I'm having to get used to it. I'm sure others would prefer it.
Players with small hands have trouble with big pistons no matter how they are angled. That's one reason I like rotary horns in schools. The spatulas can be gently bent over so that they are nearly touching, and can therefore fit small hands.
I agree that horns should be ergonomically as well as musically designed, in order to fit a human being. Figuring out which human being to fit is the tricky bit.
Rick "Everyone's different" Denney