[TPIN] Bb/A instruments

[wrg94 at aol.com]

I have been following the discussion thread re. Bb/A tuned instruments  
(other than picc.s) with some interest.  I own a vintage King cornet that  was 
originally designed to play in either Bb or A.  the pull-out position  is 
indicated on each valve slide, and the main tuning mechanism is equipped with  a stop 
at the point where the horn comes into tune in A when it has first been  tuned 
in Bb.  
 
If you want to play your Bb horn in A, try the following:  1) tune it  in Bb, 
2) pull out your 1st valve slide 1/2 inch; your 2nd valve slide 1/16  inch; 
and your 3rd valve slide about 3/8 inch, 3) pull out your main tunig  slide 
until you are in tune in A (about 2 inches), the horn should then  play  well in 
A.  
 
Bruce Wright
 
 
In a message dated 2/3/2008 2:38:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
gjyoung at mountaincable.net writes:

Having  the ability to change to A can make passages that are awkward
relatively  easy.

Sharp keys that are easy for string players are awkward for Bb  brass.
A passage in A major that would be in B for Bb is in C on an  A


A passage in Berlioz's Damnation of Faust march is very easy in A  but a
finger twister in Bb

Similarly the Light Cavalry Overture in A  is much simpler and sonorous.

I have 2 Bb/A rotary trumpets and it is  very interesting to play in A as
opposed to Bb. YOU can simply take these A  parts and play them

Carmen prelude is simple and no problem on a  trumpet in A ( or low F)

I am surprised that makers do not offer slides  to change to A 
I think they would be popular. I would certainly want a  set.

You can pull a tuning slide down to A but the valve slides are out  then.

Perhaps it is related to the tyranny of the C trumpet. ( I won 4  of these
and use them when they suit the work played)

I think we  have lost something here.

Any decent clarinet player has an A Clarinet.  Is it possible they are
smarter than trumpeters? I have never seen a  clarinet player play an A
clarinet part on a C clarinet. I asked one about  that and he said he really
did not like C clarinet as the tone gets too  shrill. He really doesn't like
Eb clarinet for the same reason.

As  an orchestral librarian there are large numbers of works that are  for
Clarinet in A are also for trumpet in A. 

Roy Lawler told me  that Bb/A switches are difficult to keep both in tune.
He said his choice  as a maker would be to build in A by itself.

I think if that a really  well built A trumpet could be popular especially
for 2nd and 3rd trumpet  parts where C or Bb transposing makes for very
awkward parts. If you think  about it an A trumpet also can make E trumpet 
Parts a far simpler  transposition. 






Graham J. Young B.Mus.  B.Ed.

Hamilton Musician  Services

gjyoung at mountaincable.net
905-928-4671

Easier to  play in sharp keys.
I  suppose.



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