4Valve Trumpets, Herbert L. Clarke, and the future

[@massmanute]

Maybe the future is 4-valve compensating trumpets. That is the preferred configuration for most euphonium players, and some tuba players as well. 4 valve non-compensated euphoniums are pretty common, but are mostly used by beginning and some intermediate players, whereas most high level players and some intermediate players use 4 valve compensating instruments. Some beginning euphonium players also play 4 valve compensated instruments, if they can afford it. However, one difference between trumpet/cornet and euphonium is that the low range (approaching the pedal tones, and even extending into the pedal tones) is sometimes used whereas I don't think trumpet players think of it that way, perhaps because of technical considerations, or possibly because of esthetic considerations.

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

What's up with the Titan I saw with the 5th rotary valve? I've only seen it in one YT video on another channel, but no other info seems to be available.

[@stomviusavideo]

Hi Eric, Love your guitar playing! I'm guessing you saw the four valve that Darren Barret has. He retrofitted it with a quarter tone rotor. We make a quarter tone tuning slide which does the same thing, just a different mechanism. Thanks for asking and have great gigs!

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

@@stomviusavideo thanks man! I’ve been a tuba player for about 25 years now, so when I see another instrument with lots of valves I get excited. I dabble in trumpet a little and am really hoping the 4 and even 5 valve trumpets become common in the coming years. It just makes sense. I’d never want to be stuck playing a 3 valve tuba, so I don’t get why you would want to be limited to a 3 valve trumpet either. The benefits of alternate fingerings alone is worth having a 4th.