How important is a 4th valve on an Eb horn ?

Mr. Stomvi · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Apr 2002 Posts: 1062

I am thinking about getting an Eb horn shortly and am trying to figure out how important a 4th valve (i.e Schilke E3L4) is. The Schilke E3L4 seems to be the industry standard (especially in 4 valve Ebs) but I can save a bundle if I don't need the 4th valve. What classical orchestral or solo literature would require the 4th valve (that I couldn't play on a 3 valve horn)?

Thanks in advance as always

Seth Moore
_________________
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music."

Billy Wilder

trumpetmike · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 2:18 pm Post subject:

From what I have seen, people tend to use the 4 valve instruments when playing orchestral music that may have originally been written for the Bb trumpets. The 4th valve enables you to play the lower notes on a Bb, but on an Eb instrument.
As far as I know, all of the repertoire written for Eb instruments (Haydn, Hummel, Neruda etc) can easily be played on a 3 valve instrument. I only have a 3 valve Eb and I haven't yet found anything which would need a 4th valve.
The only reason I would like a 4 valve Eb is to give me more options.

brass2002 · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 3:13 pm Post subject:

IMHO, One of the advantages of having a 4 valve instrument is alternate fingering for trills and intonation
_________________
Pistons:
Stomvi Master Bb, Schilke X1A & B6
Bach/Larson C, German Destino C
Monette 933 C, STC1 C & 149XL
Thein Eb/D/C 4 Valves
Thein Bb/A
Thein G
Larson GFT Eb/D
Rotaries:
Schagerl Bb D1, Schagerl C W 2001
Windisch Bb
Monke D
Scherzer Bb/A

Mr. Stomvi · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Apr 2002 Posts: 1062

Ya got some nice horns there. How do you like your Stomvi Master Bb ? I have 3 Stomvi Master series horns (Bb, picc and cornet) and love them.

Seth Moore
_________________
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music."

Billy Wilder

Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 6:41 pm Post subject:

I would say that the most significant characteristic of Schilke's 4-valve E flat isn't necessarily the fourth valve. The bell is much larger. Essentially, it's designed to sound like a C trumpet, whereas most E flats are designed to have a lighter, more delicate sound. If you intend to use it in situations where a big sound is a must, the 4-valve instrument might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you don't mind having an E flat trumpet that sounds like an E flat trumpet, the standard horn might even be preferable.

FWIW, the Schilke 4-valve is in no way the "industry standard." If there is a "standard", it's your basic 3-valve Schilke. The 4-valve isn't even in the top 5.