Posted by js on October 14, 2002 at 09:55:49:
In Reply to: Yamaha YEB381 tuba posted by Max Croot on October 14, 2002 at 06:50:33:
The rotor on your instrument is "sort of" (not exactly) like the 2nd rotor on a bass trombone.
Using only your 4 piston valves, you can play down to low A natural with reasonably reliable intonation, but your fifth valve (a whole-step valve that is set to be in-tune with your 4th valve - actually the same length as a "first" valve on a BBb tuba) allows you to play low Ab, G, Gb, F, and E natural with close-to-correct (very useable) instrument length.
You can play several of the pitches below low A natural with only 4 valves, but not with very reliable intonation...Most all of the instrument length options below low A (with only 4 valves) are too far off to play them with ease...About the only pitch "down there" that works well with only 4 pistons is low G (fingered 2-3-4).
Of course, below very low E natural, your "fundamental" EEb and pitches below that are "fine".