A step-by-step guide to tuning a 3-valve or 4-valve brass instrument. I demonstrate with euphonium, but the principles apply to most valved brass instruments. I also cover non-compensating and compensating instruments.
I really liked the thoughtful step-by-step explanation. I've been playing valved instruments for almost 20 years, but this had some nice nuggets I didn't know. Thanks for posting this!
I wasn't confused on tuning my euphonium before I watched this video, and I tune my euphonium weekly, but this showed me how it actually worked. It was pretty interesting, thanks!
Is there a reason why you do not use a horn with a tuning peddle? On my Miraphone, A paddle helps on those three notes that tend to be a little sharp. Fortunately, my ear is not as precisely tuned as yours . But my tuning paddle works just as fast as my valves and it hasn't taken too many hours to get them timed to work together. This was an excellent explanation. Thanks.
If you are talking about what I'd call a trigger, my would not benefit much from one, and they add weight, maintenance, and possible vulnerability during travel. The Adams is more in tune than any other euphonium, and some of the notes that need attention are on the flat side, which I trigger can't help.
B 2 4 tends to be flat on the Besson compensating euphoniums, atleast on mine. Its gets a bit problematic when playing with those who have a regular inline 4 valve and those (mainly younger players) who never got told of what the 4th valve does and just don't use it.
You are absolutely right about 2&4. My personal theory on this is that the 2nd compensating loop can't be made as short as it needs to be for proper intonation (it has to do a half circle itself, and there is a little additional length for the flange it solders to on the casing). Not a new issue. Some horns are better than others, but I can't figure out why.
Thanks for the video, David! I don't remember ever going over this in school, so throughout my amateur brass career I've never though about tuning anything beyond the main tuning slide! I mean, I knew I had all these different slides that also came out, but I never really thought about them.
Thank you for doing this. Newby player here. I just bought myself a Besson 2-20 and was struggling with the intonation. Tuning it has gone a long way to getting a better sounding scale.
Could be a mouthpiece mis-match, and it could be a flaw in the horn (usually a dent, leak, or something stuck inside). BUT, don't check your tuning until you have played your horn for 10-15 minutes. If the room is cool, that will drive down the pitch.
People don't realize how tricky it is to tune an instrument to work in as many keys as possible....when I tuned pianos and pipe organs, I would tune 5ths, 4ths, and Octaves. From there, 3rds and 6ths...the minor 7th then 2nds. Sounds crazy but it worked. One key at a time. Then I'd play through circles of 5ths to fine tune. Tuning is no easy feat!
