| In marching band we all use the same hand position, (trumpet, mello, euphoneum, baritone, everything). We call it "The Spok" (from startrek) because the middle finger and ring finger are spread out on both sides of the 3rd valve slide, and then the middle finger is in the hook, and the thumb is in the 1st valve slide hook. Then our right hand is pretty much normal, with the thumb inbetween the first and second valves sort of wedged between the valve caseing and the lead pipe with our fingers up curved over with the finger tips on the valves.
We only do it like this because we want everyone in marching band to look exactly the same and because it makes it easier to hold the horn at the correct angel.
But in concert band and orchrestra my hand placement is compleatly differant. My left hand is close to the same, but I use my ring finger in the 3rd valve slide ring instead. On my right hand I put my thumb on the other side of the 1st valve, for me it keeps my hand more open and I can move my fingers faster and easier. The main differance is that I hold the entire at an angel. So looking from the front it would look like this " / " if that made anysence... I think its just out of habbit, but for some reason it seems like I play with a darker, fuller sound like that, but maybe thats just mental, I don't know.
__________________
-David Jacques |