To C# or not to C#

[Jan]

Hi Johnny,

There’s a significant difference between playing the middle C# as “all-fingers-off” or with the octave key and “all-fingers-on”. The quality of sound seems better with the latter technique; it gives a “warmer”, “fuller” sound. It’s considerably harder to remember and do when playing in the key of B, for instance where I’ve (lazily) gotten used to use the small Bb key between A and B instead of the A+side-key combination. I wonder if it’s just my horn, and hence not worthwhile practicing the “all-fingers-on” technique, and if a better horn will eliminate the problem. What is your experience?

Jan

[Lee Dove]

I think C# is the worst sounding note on my horn with all fingers off.

[john]

Do you mean fingering a low C# and adding the octave key? If so I’ve never used that as a fingering option as it was never taught as an option. Technically it’s not an actual “ligitimate” fingering.
The Bis key, what you call little Bb key is one I use most of the time.

[Author]

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