Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject: valve speed
Have you thought about stiffer springs? Personally, i prefer slightly stiffer than stock springs on all of my horns. Personal taste I guess.
After typing the above, it occured to me to ask; is your tongue faster than your valves? Do you REALLY need faster than normal valve action? Most brasswind players that I have played with can't move their fingers or tongue faster than their valves can keep up with.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject: softer springs
Softer springs will allow the valves to be depressed more easily,BUT, if the valves are not free moving, the return,( up motion), of the valves will be delayed, or slow. I have a couple of horns with very soft springs, but, the movement of those valves is extremely easy, thus, very fast valve action. This works well for experienced players, but, can be a problem for novice players who tend to make wrong decisions as to which valve combination is needed, especially in a fast scale.
An old trick is to place toothpaste on the side of the valves and gently clean them. This is almost a minor honing of the valves. I would do it to one, for a very short period of time, and then replace it back into the valve cylinder. See how it works. If it is to your liking you can repeat the process.
Remember that toothpaste has a gentle abrasive in it, so you do not want to scrub hard, just gently. Make certain you do a good job of rinsing the valve prior to replacing it in the cylinder.
_________________ "To be a teacher you need to be as good a performer as you can be: you'll have more to impart to your students musically." - John Haynie
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