Doug Elliott wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:05 pm
I play every one of my horns with the tuning slide all the way in. 1st position is at least 1/2 inch out.
I play my horns with the tuningslide out about 1/2 inch and the slide at least 1/2 inch out for tuning A=440. I push tuning slide all way in if A=442 which it is over here in a lot of Symphony orchestras. There are a lot of chopped tuningslides on Bach 42's and Conn 88h's. I have one of each
Seventh position on my horns is just before the slide falls off. I play with a Hammond 12M mouthpiece which is like a Bach 5. Also to consider is if you use a bigger mouthpiece lets say a Bach 2G which is a bass mouthpiece on a tenor or some other real large mouthpiece then the horn plays more flat compared to a Bach 5, Bach 6 1/2 or smaller mouthpiece.
There are several reasons for not tuning the Bb to the bumper. I come to think of six reasons.
1. Notes on the same position is not lined up at the exact same spot, some needs to be raised against the fundamental and other lowered to be in tune. The Bb must be out from the bumper to allow for the
which is flat. That D needs to be against the bumper.
2. As you said you need the space not to slam into the bumper and damage your emboushure.
3 You need the space to allow for slide vibrato on first position.
4 You need the space to be able to fine tune your instrument depending on what note in the chord you are playing. A minor third needs to be raised for example.
5 You need the space when intonation gets sharp in the string section.
6. If you have a trigger horn and tune the Bb way from the bumper then my advice is to tune the octave bass F f
against the bumper, but this is not something we all need to agree on. Some tune that F to be real flat so they can reach the trigger low C on the end of the slide instead.
That's a few things on tuning the first position.
/Tom
