3 ms·
Because the instruments have three valves, they are essentially a variable-length tube with a three-bit interface for choosing the length - so there are eight p
by matthewmacleod 8y ago
Because the instruments have three valves, they are essentially a variable-length tube with a three-bit interface for choosing the length - so there are eight possible configurations, and two of them happen to result in the same tube length so there are seven selectable lengths.
So if the length is set to “C” (that is, no valves pressed) and your lips buzz at “G” then you will be playing a “G”.
- mannykannot 8y agoI would guess that it doesn't work well unless the note you are buzzing resonates with the instrument (it is (even) harder to do, does not sound clear?)
- klez 8y agoI've found it hard to produce a non-fundamental pitch. I mean, I'm not a very good player, but the best I can do is bend the note by a semi-tone or a bit more, then it goes straight to the other fundamental.
- matthewmacleod 8y agoLike the sibling says, it’s actually quite hard to do that! I’m not a professional player so take my explanation with a grain of salt, but the resonance of the instrument seems to ensure you stick to one of the fundamentals. Now that I think about it, it’s quite hard to explain, but it just seems to… work?
- dbcurtis 8y agoKind of. Remember that the valves are providing a linear approximation of a logarithmic relationship. So the third valve is usually tuned to a flat 1.5 steps to be used primarily in combination with valves 1 and 2 to ease intonation problems.