Brass Clinic Maurice Faulkner, Contributing Editor How to Care for a Rotary-Valved Tuba A | Rex Conne ESTO UCTSMN —ticreisoo doute thatthe rotary then tap ont witha ratide aU Tey a valved-tubas are becoming more let or leave the screw driver in popular with serioustuba students, slot and tap on it with a hamm: nd are being used in ever‘nereas. This is a dangerous procedure o S ing numbers in high school and some tubas. It is better to find college concert bands tool, or make one, that isthe diam. bee aE Students and directors often ask _terof thestop-arm head screw, e how to take the valves apart and us the head screw threads (s0 clean them, although this is seldom the threads will not be damag. FLUEGELHORNS. necessary if the instruments are the valve shaft). An old ice p 5 properly cared for and played regu: shortenedand placed in the chuck Tarly. All that is usually needed is a drill and filed down to the Cod se 2) toimmerse the tuba in a tub full of diameter will work fine. Itcan then - clear water. However, when rotary- tapped with a hammer until over a hot dry summer), itis quite dowel on top of the valve shai likely that the valves will become however, it might damage the « frozen, or atleast stuck. This is due of the threads, Be sure to catc Poorer dd a is to dried saliva and calcium depos- the bearing unit and valve as th ited around the valve. Running wat- fall from the valve casing! Uae erthrough the mouthpipe will usu- Once the valve is out of the cas ally loosen the valves, but if this ing it can be cleaned, Since i ddoeatt work, you can vevally take solid brass, "Brarea” can be hold ofthe top arm and break the without any appreciable amount rotors lose: Neverforce the key, as metal being removed. After the itwrllbend when to mach pressite pearance ee een Regardiess of how much care a T S80 ata yeaD Siew PROPOR cuba is given, the time wil evento LOR DAOMATHMMAME ally arrive when the valves must be tr SOR SIUREOMIEM cs apart for cleaning. Ie is not i igsees cea aidlall difficult and can be done quickly: Hi SS RMERRE however it must be done correctly Soo and with some caution. First, re- ‘ove the valve cap on the under Side. If it will not loosen easily, ‘wrap cardboard or leather aroundit eee ey reo merece cs Priced at 395.00 (including Peer eer ts ay THE SCHILKE CO. oe tojerotert ee metal) mad lige it j Miner veeraeenies a oleae ismo cap that will screw off of the Sie top, although many look like they wo Tre aex p fhe mos crea PLEASE SEND: ‘one. Repair manuals and French vaive Iaroment a Papeete ean ese ees coon | Mesa aa pane, | _ Rex Conner teaches tuba at the Univer- Se amen | eee ae cist Genin k freee pect ectcit forthe past 15 summersBier Se TS small pipe (preferably of soft metal) which fits over the bearing valve is cleaned, you can clean the ridge works well otherwise, take casing. This is a little difficult small, wooden dowelrod and tap since there is only one cap on it; it lightiy as itis rotated around but itcan be cleaned by fushing or the outer edge of the bearing unit blowing all the foreign material [f this plate isn't down flush and cout of it. Remember, good rotors atexactrightangles with the bottom hhave very close tolerance and the valve shaft it will bind, and the smallest particle of dirt can cause alve will be immobile. Quite often them to stick, My own tuba will his is the cause of stuck rotary still show evidence of compression valves. A light tap at the correct 4 full forty seconds after the third spot on the bearing plate will of slide is pushed in. ten free the valve. ‘Now that the valves and casings are clean, you can oil the bearing Cheek the Corks, ridges, and the shafts ofthe valves; Before putting the valve cap however, this is not necessary ~ back on, you must now check the even considered unwise by many. corks on the top side of the valve Do not oil the entire rotor. If the casings to sce if they are the cor- rotor will spin freely in the casing, rect thickness and in good condi- you are ready to reassemble. tion. These corks insure that the Most bearing units or plates, valves will stop precisely at the which fit over the bottom valve right point. If the corks need re shaft and inside the valve casing, placing, obtain some rod cork about havea bearing mark, perhaps done three eighths of an inch in diameter with a file, and this mark must and cut a piece off so that itis just match perfectly with the continu- the same height as the plate that ing mark on the valve casing. After holds the corks. Remove the old the bearing plate is in the correct corks with a small screwdriver. position, tap it down flush with Next, take the piece of rod cork the walls of the valve casing. A that has been cut off and squeeze Mr. Band Director: This new complete Catalog is a “must” for your files! We'll pleased to send your personal copy with our compliments! ETT Maelo) ole Catalog of PRESTIGE UNIFORMS “A tanbury, New for 1972 TV'S FREE j « « 36 pases ofcotor photographs of bands and band uniforms ~everything from new treatments of old favorites from ‘America's colorful past to totaly different designs based upon a con: ‘cept of the “band wniforms of tomorrow.” ll this plus page after page ‘of shakos, caps, convertors and all types of accessories, I's a "must for your permanent file, and it's yours forthe asking! For Your FREE Copy, Write TODAY to: G. 5. Caldwell STANBURY UNIFORMS © 7233 Troost, Kansas City, Mo. 64131 mere eee ed 4 re narawenraer nove it between a pair of pliers with the grain of the cork. (Duck billed pliers are best for this work.) I: its somewhat flattened state’ the cork can then be pushed into place quite easily. Apply some pressure and it will spread out again and remain in place, Before replacing the stop arm head it is best to screw the valve fon tightly to hold the beari unit firmly in place while the stop arm head is replaced. Some heads fit the valve shaft very tightly (They are conical.) After the stop arm head is on, remove the valve ‘cap once more, take a strip ol ‘emery paper just wide enough to gc between the stop arm and the cork place the emery paper between the stop arm and the cork, press the stop arm lightly and pull the emer through the two until the cork is sanded enough for the marks on the valve shaft to match up with the marks on the raised portion of the bearing unit. This procedure wil form a small circular seating in th rod cork for the stop arm which makes valveactionjustfirmenough, yet not “spongy” or too hard, String Action. Nothing has been said here about restringing keys with string action. Most French horn playe can give this information. 1 Practical Band Instrument Repair Manual by Clayton H. Tiede gives an excellent description as well a drawings for this operation.* On. tuba distributor is now using 2 50b. test_-monofilament fishing line instead of the usual nylon silk string and it is excellent. If you are playing a tuba with me chanical linkage and it is noisy put a drop of 30 weight motor « fon the body of the serew and ‘will stop the noise if it isn't to badly worn. The wear is usually i the screw. If you are paying good money for anew tuba, buy one that will remain silent for years. come. Noisy valve action, wheth piston or rotary, should not be t erated on a tuba at any price. One final tip — if you would like to have your lacquer finish Took good for a long time, use Joh son's “Pledge” on it after clean {ing with soap and water. . + Ted, Clayton th The Practical Bev