Posted by Steve Inman on July 19, 2001 at 13:20:59:
O Sage BBS Community,
Every rotary valved tuba I've ever seen has a "pull ring" on the 2nd valve tuning slide.
Typically, these are included on 1st or 3rd valve slides to help with real-time pitch
adjustments "on the fly" when playing.
Is this possible with the 2nd valve? (i.e., in lieu of a 2nd valve "kicker" / trigger, ala some Rudy Meinl tubas) If so, how would you do this, as all your fingers are resting on valve levers, and unavailable to pull the slide. Would you use your right THUMB?
Or is the ring just there to help you remove the slide for maintenance?
TIA,
Steve Inman
Kokomo, IN