> But I can think of reasons why a builder might want to experiment with > doubled valves. > One possibility is that it would allow an air path without sharp turns.
The air flow through the main body of the horn (past the leadpipe) is so slow that anything short of mashing the tubing flat-as-a-pancake shouldn't have much effect. Forget "air flow" and think "take care of the standing wave," and you'll be much closer to home. The standing wave does not (based on horns I've played, some with sharp turns, some with gentle "air flow friendly" crooks) care about what the airflow is up to. If brass instruments relied on "air flow" to play well, the Thayer valve would be the hands-down winner, and no rotary (or piston) valve would even be a feasible alternative. But brass is about taking care of the standing wave that sets up when we play, and NOT about airflow. Therefore the Thayer valve is just one more possibility, and is most certainly not an advantage... just another way of doing it. (I follow intently all happenings in the trombone world). All valve types have certain advantages balanced with certain drawbacks, but some work well in spite of (or because of?) their non-concern for "air flow." ADiF _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
