I am considering getting a blessing 155 4-valve flugelhorn, is the 4th valve more of a pain? I plan on using it to play in a jazz combo and in a jazz big band. What's the advantage of having the 4th valve? Does anyone really use it to play more in tune? Or will it just be there and never used when I play?

It is useful if you play arrangements of classical pieces for string instruments, but for jazz...I don't think that it is really a must.

Hi,

The 4th valve may not be needed for your style of playing, but you should try both flugels - a 3 valve and 4-valve and see which sounds appropriate.

If you compare the two to your playing style, you can better make a choice that fits you!

Of course, if you get a good deal on the 4th valve fluegel, go for it. Suspect it would make a good conversation starter, too.

Best wishes,

Lloyd

Sergei Nakariakov used the 4-valve flugel at ITG this year. I didn't see him use the fourth valve very much, but what I understand is that it has much the same effect as a 4-valve piccolo. I think it's for intonation. Sergei played a Haydn cello concerto transcription.

Thad Jones played a 4-valve flugelhorn. No slouch, he.

From what I read, one reason Sergei Nakariakov got a four valve flugel was so he could play french horn concertos, it lowers the pitch by a fourth? making the lower register accessible.

Lowers pitch by a fourth? Is that a quarter tone? I never fully understood why the picc trumpet has 4 valves and now the newish (I dunno if this is a newish trend cos I dont recall seeing 4 valve flugs before) 4 valve flugal had me and a few chums talking about this very subject last friday evening. Anybody able to throw some light on the issue?

Originally Posted by MrA2You

Lowers pitch by a fourth? Is that a quarter tone?

No. This means a fourth=2.5 steps. Like playing in F low pitch. All trumpetlike horns with 4 valves have their 4th valve usually tuned that way, but they may be customised to play 1/4 tone, which I believe Ed Caroll has done with one of his flugels. As I said above, adding a 4th down is handy when you want to play arrangement of pieces for cello, as does often Naariakov.

I have a 4 valve flugel and the fourth valve does open up a whole new octave below the staff (maybe not what jock trumpet players are looking for, but it does open a lot of creative possibilities).

If you have any of Sergei's CDs, you will hear that 4th valve SMOKIN. He uses it for a lot more than horn concertos!

Originally Posted by rowuk

I have a 4 valve flugel and the fourth valve does open up a whole new octave below the staff (maybe not what jock trumpet players are looking for, but it does open a lot of creative possibilities).

Playing lower is for trombones! Give me a fourth valve that bypasses the main valve block so I can play higher!