Helpful articles written
for students.

Band
Link
Home
Page

The 4th Valve - Its Use on Tubas and Euphoniums (Baritones)

As I do clinic work around our area and judge solo and ensemble festivals both here in South Carolina and around the country, I am always surprised at two phenomenon. First, I am highly pleased to find a good number of schools and individuals that have obtained for themselves a four-value tuba or euphonium. Secondly, I am generally dismayed to encounter a large number of performers who don't use the fourth value and never have. When I ask students about this habit, inevitably they answer me indicating that the use of the fourth valve has never been explained to them. If I can draw an analogy, it might be said that not using the fourth valve would be like buying a Corvette and keeping it permanently in first gear.

The fourth valve has a vital role in these two instruments' abilities to play in tune. In fact, I would argue that a three-valve tuba is almost useless, but that's another matter.

The role and purpose of the fourth valve is simple. Valve 4 replaces the combination of 1 and 3 and valve 2 and 4 replaces the combination of 1, 2, and 3. The basis for these fingerings lies on the realm of acoustics and instrument manufacture. Essentially the tubing connected to valves I and 3 and 1, 2, and 3 are too short to allow those combinations to be in tune. They will be sharp!!! In each case the 4th valve is of sufficient length to lower the pitch to acceptable levels. Using the 4h valve will put you in tune!!!

Therefore, the following pitches must be played using fourth valve.

Euphonium

BBb Tuba

Tuba

I should also point out that any pitches below the 2 and 4 low E are also available using the valve. (Although there isn't much demand for these pitches until college level music is encountered.) If these pitches are called for, they use standard chromatic descending fingerings, e.g. low E Flat would be 4 and 1, low D 4 - I and 2 and so on.

Hopefully, this will help the student comprehend the use of this fourth valve. With practice and determination, possibly the dreaded I and 3 and 1, 2, and 3 can be eliminated in our schools.

Bill Long
Mr. Long is Director of Bands at Newberry College