Posted by Sam Gnagey on October 16, 2003 at 08:36:13:
I'm wondering if anyone else is adventursome enough to use these 3+3 valve F tubas anymore. I'm preparing for Brahms 2 next week and will use mine. It's a very small Mirafone that gets a clear, dark sound which is quite different than any other F that I've played.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this system, the first three valves are played with the left hand. On my horn the first valve of the right hand is like another 3rd valve, the right hand 2nd valve is 3/4-step and the 3rd right hand valve is like a typical 4th valve. Does anyone know how this system evolved? Was it pehaps devised by converted ophicleide players?