US3686995A

US3686995A - Brass wind instrument

Info

Publication number: US3686995A
Application number: US878764A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred J Marzan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-21
Filing date: 1969-11-21
Publication date: 1972-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-29

Abstract

A four-valved brass wind instrument such as a tuba or baritone having a main tuning slide which is located to be accessible to the player at all times while performing and can be easily manipulated by the left hand during a performance. The valve assembly is arranged so that the fingers of the right hand can rest comfortably and naturally on the keys. The fourth valve is built with two auxiliary slides which can be extended to lower the pitch of the fourth valve tubing an additional half tone enabling the performer to descend to the fundamental pitch chromatically. This eliminates the need for a fifth valve, and positive tuning in the pedal register is possible.

Description

United States Patent Marzan [151 3,686,995 1451 Aug. 29, 1972 s41 BRASS WIND INSTRUMENT [72] Inventor: Fred J. Marzan, 611 S. St., St.

Cloud,'Minn. 56301 [22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 878,764

[52] US. Cl .......84/389, 84/394 511 110.01.... ..-..c10d 9/04 58 Field of Search ....s4/3s7-394 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,509,104 9/1924 Hickernell ..s4/3s7 127,591 6/1872 Gates ..s4/3s9 405,395 6/1889 Conn...- ..84/388 1,061,885 5/1913 Todt ..,.s4/394 1,905,141 4/1933 Burkle ..84/394 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Edited by H. C.

Colles, MacMillan Co., N.Y., 1947, Vol. 5, p. 437.

Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales Attorney-Jones and Lockwood ABSTRACT A four-valved brass wind instrument such as a tuba or baritone having a main'tuning slide which is located to be accessible to the player at all times while performing and can be easily manipulated-by the left hand during a performance. The valve assembly is arranged so that the fingers of the right hand can rest comfortably and naturally on the keys. The fourth valve is built with two auxiliary slides which can be extended to lower the pitch of the fourth valve tubing an additional half tone enabling-the performer to descend to the fundamental pitch chromatically. This eliminates the need for a fifth valve, and positive tuning in the pedal register is possible.

l9Claims,6Drawin gFigures PATENTEIIIUBZQIQYZ 3.686395 SHEET 2 BF 2 ABLE 2 4"VALVE FINGERINGS v ADDITIONAL 4"VALVE FINGERINGS AVAILABLE WITH PRIOR ART AVAILABLE WITH PRESENT INVENTION as; g g bi g g 4 2 T 4 4 NOT 8 4 g 4 4 4 4 g 2 I AVAIL- 2 I I v-Y' 2 5 a 2 5 3 LN um; dlu

NOTES AVAILABLE WITH 4SLIDES CLOSED NOTES AVAILABLE WITH 4SLIDES EXTENDED I IN VI5NT(.)R. Zzmffiarzan j z 7 BY BRASS WIND INSTRUMENT This invention relates generally to brass wind instruments and is particularly concerned with brass wind instruments such as tubas and baritones wherein the length of the air passage through the instrument is selectively increased by operation of valves by the player .to connect auxiliary tubes into the tubing of the main body portion.

The path of flow fromthe mouthpiece to the bellshaped outlet of a valved brass wind instrument such as a tuba is shortest when all of the valves of the instrument are in their normal or open positions. This may be referred to as the open" position of the instrument. When a valve is actuated from its normal position by the fingers of the player, it connects the air passage defined by the main tubing, or the tubing of the main body portion of the instrument with an additional length of tubing, or an auxiliary tube, to increase the length of the air passage so that the instrument plays a lower pitch. Each valve of the instrument controls an auxiliary tube having a difierent length from the lengths of the auxiliary tubes controlled by the other valves. Thus, each valve, or combination of valves, controls the playing of a particular series of notes on the instrument.

When one of the valves is actuated to connect its auxiliary tube with the main tube or body portion, the length of the air passage through the tubular body portion and the auxiliary tube is such as to produce a desired note or tone. The open length of the instrument, that is, the length when all of the auxiliary tubes are disconnected from the main tube, can be precisely determined to achieve a desired result. Similarly, the length of each auxiliary tube controlled by the respective valves can also be determined precisely to produce a desired note or tone which is in tune when its particular valve is actuated to connect the respective auxiliary tube individually with the main tube. Thus, the instrumentis in tune with the lengths of air passage provided by l) the open length of the instrument with all of the auxiliary tubes disconnected from the main tube, or the condition of the instrument with all of the valves in their normal or open positions, and (2) the length of air passage through the main tube or body portion together with any single auxiliary tube, or the condition when any single valve is actuated to connect its auxiliary tube with the tubing of the main body portion.

However, when two or more of the valves are actuated to simultaneously connect their respective auxiliary tubes with the tubing of the main body, the instrument will not be in tune. The instrument will not be absolutely in tune with two or more valves actuated because the length of air passage provided by the combined' length of the tubing of the main body portion with two or more auxiliary tubes will generally b slightly inadequate to produce a tone or note in tune. Accordingly, to produce the proper note desired, it is necessary to somehow provide an additional length of air passage to bring the instrument in tune. This may be done by means of a main tuning slide that can be adjusted to selectively increase or decrease the length of the tubing of the main body portion. When a note is to be played that requires a tuned length of air passage equal to the open length of the instrument together with the addition of the length of two or more auxiliary tubes, the main tuning slide must be adjusted accordingly to bring the instrument in tune and compensate for the inadequacy or error in air passage length existing when two or more of the valves are actuated. Stated another way, the mere actuation of two or more valves to connect the respective auxiliary tubes to the tubing of themain body portion of the instrument will not provide a tuned length of air passage, and therefore the air passage provided by the addition of two or more auxiliary tubes to the tubing of the main body must be adjusted to bring the instrument into tune. If the adjustable main tuning slide is located on the instrument in a position such that it is not accessible to the left hand of the player, or the hand not being used for manipulating the valves, the adjustment must be'made at atime when the-instrument is not being played. The performer must anticipate in advance when such a note is to be played and adjust the tuning slide prior to the time that the note is to beplayed and at a time when it is not necessary to play the instrument.

With a standard four valve tuba, baritone, or the like, the notes or tones that can be produced are limited to (l) the note produced by the open length of the instrument, (2) the notes that can be produced by actuation of the four valves individually, and (3) the notes that can be produced by the simultaneous actuation of two or more .valves with the length of air passage adjusted by a tuning'slide. Notes cannot be produced lower than that provided by actuation of the four valves simultaneously. In order to increase the range of notes available for a particular instrument, a fifth valve and associated auxiliary tubing could be provided; however, the com plexity and difficulty of playing such an instrument is considerably increased.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a valved brass wind instrument such as a tuba or baritone having a main tuning slide for selectively adjusting the length of the tubing of the main body portion of the instrument having a location such that the player can operate the valves with one hand and manipulate the main tuning slide with the other hand with ease while heis performing, thus enabling the performer to tune all notes while performing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a four valve brass wind instrument such as a tuba or baritone wherein the auxiliary tubing controlled by one of the valves is adjustable between a length equal to the tuned length of two of the other valves and a length equal to the tuned length of the three other valves to eliminate the need for a fifth valve.

Still another object is to provide a valved brass wind instrument such as a tuba or baritone having a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped portion with a main tuning portion formed in the body portion having a U-shaped tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped section and accessible over the curved end of the coiled body portion adjacent the end of the bell-shaped section so as to be accessible to a hand of the player for manipulation by the player while performing.

The foregoing, and other objects, are achieved by the provision of a valved brass wind instrument having a coiled tubular body portion defining the main air passage of the instrument and terminating in a bellshaped portion. The main tuning portion is formed on parallel open-ended sections in the body portion which I project toward the end of the bell-shaped portion in substantial parallel relationship with the axis of the end of the bell-shaped portion. The main tuning slide is substantially U-shaped with a pair of legs each of which is telescopically received in one of the straight sections, the base of the U-shaped main tuning slide projecting toward the open end of the bell-shaped portion and accessible to one hand of the player while performing for adjustment along the straight sections to selectively vary the length of the tubing of the main body portion of the instrument.

Defined at the end of the main body portion opposite I the bell-shaped portion is a valve carrying portion and Y an inlet portion extends from the valve carrying portion and has a mouthpiece receiving end. Four valves are mounted on the valve carrying portion, and an auxiliary valve tube is carried by each valve for selective communication with the body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to thereby increase the length of the air passage from the mouthpiece receiving end to the end of the bell-shaped portion. The valve carrying portion extends diagonally from the inlet portion away from the end of the bell-shaped portion. Consequently, the valves are placed so that the fingers of the right hand can rest comfortably and naturally on the valve keys.

The auxiliary tube associated'with the fourth valve is adjustable between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the other auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the timed combined length of the three other auxiliary tubes. The auxiliary tube of the fourth valve is formed into two looped portions, and a fourth valve auxiliary tuning slide is telescopically mounted in each of the two looped portions for adjusting the length of the fourth valve auxiliary tube. The two fourth valve auxiliary tuning slides, when extended, lower the pitch of the fourth valve auxiliary tube an additional one-half tone.

Other objects, advantage and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a valved brass wind instrument embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the instrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the position of the instrument during playing of the instrument;

FIG. 3 illustrates the fourth valve fingerings available with a prior art four valve CC tuba;

FIG. 4a illustrates the fourth valve fingerings available with a CC tuba incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 4b illustrates the notes available on a CC tuba embodying the present invention with the slides of the fourth valve auxiliary tubing extended; and

FIG. 40 illustrates the notes available on a CC tuba embodying the present invention with the slides of the fourth valve auxiliary tube closed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a valved brass wind instrument having a coiled tubular body portion designated generally by reference numeral 2 which terminates in a bell-shaped portion 4. A main. tuning portion designated generally by reference numeral 6 is formed on the body portion 2 and includes a tuning slide 8 projecting toward the end 10 of the bell-shaped section 4.

The tuning slide 8 is adjustable in a direction generally.

parallel to the axis a indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 1 of the end 10 of the bell-shaped section 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the main tuning slide 8 is accessible over the inner curved portion 12 of the body portion 2 located adjacent to the end 10 of the bell-shaped portion 4 to the left hand of the player. so as to be manipulated by the player while performing.

With reference primarily to FIG. 1, the main tuning portion 6 includes a pair of straight, parallel openended sections 14 and 16 projecting toward-the end 10 of the bell-shaped portion 4 in substantial parallel relationship with the axis not the end of the bell-shaped portion. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the main tuning slide 8 is substantially U-shaped with a pair of legs 18 and 20. each of which is telescopically received in one of the straight sections 14 and 16. Leg 18 of the tuning slide 8 is received in straight section 14 and leg 20 is received in the straight section 16. The base 22 of the U-shaped main tuning slide 8 projects toward the open end 10 of the bell-shaped portion and is accessible to a hand oftion toward the outlet end which, in the illustrated instrument, is indicated by reference numeral 10. Con-- sequently, the straight sections 14 and 16 of the main tuning portion and corresponding main tuning slide legs 18 and 20 are of different diameters with the upstream straight section 14 and tuning slide let 18 smaller than the downstream straight section 16 and tuning slide leg 20. The telescoped

sections

14, 18 and 16, 20 may be of, constant diameter; however, the base 22 of the main tuning slide 8 in the illustrated embodiment progressively increases in cross section'from the upstream leg 18 to the downstream leg 20.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 26 designates a valve carrying portion of tubing at the end of the tubular body portion 2 opposite the bell-shaped portion 4. A plurality of valves 28 are mounted on the valve carrying portion 26, and an inlet portion 30 extends from the valve carrying portion, the inlet portion 30 having a .mouthpiece receiving end 32 with a mouthpiece 34 mounted thereon. Four

rotary valves

28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are mounted on the valve carrying portion 26, and the valve carrying portion 26 extends diagonally from the inlet portion 30 away from the end 10 of the bellshaped section 4 such that the first valve 28a is located nearer to the plane of the endportion 10 than the fourth valve 28d.

Carried by each valve 28 is an auxiliary tube 36 for selective communication with the tubing ofthe body portion 2 upon actuation of the respective valve 28 to increase the lengthof air passage from the mouthpiece 34 to the end of the bell-shaped portion 4. The first, second, third and

fourth valves

28a, 28b, 28c and 28d, respectively, are mounted on the valve carrying portion 26 sequentially in a downstream direction from the inlet portion 30; and first, second, third and fourth auxiliary tubes 36a, b, c and d are connected respectively with valves 28a, b, c and d.

Valves 28 are of the rotary type and are each actuated by a respective valve key 38 to connect the respective auxiliary tube 36 with the tubing of the main body 2 to increase the length of the air passage from the mouthpiece 34 to the bell-shaped section 4 by the length'of the auxiliary tube. Valves 28 are of conventional construction and are operated in a conventional manner by selectively pressing the respective keys 38 from their normal position, and the particular construction and operation of valves 28 form no part of the present invention. Obviously, piston valves can be incorporated in an instrument embodying the present invention.

Valves 28 are biased in a conventional manner to a position in which their respective auxiliary tubes 36 are disconnected from the tubing of the main body portion 2. Thus, when the person playing the instrument depresses valve key 38a, valve 28a is actuated to a position to connect auxiliary tube 36a with the tubing of the main body portion 2 so that the air passage from mouthpiece 34 to the bell-shaped section 4 includes the length of tubing 36a. When valve key 38a is released,

valve 28a automatically returnsto its normal position in which the auxiliary tube 36a is disconnected from, or is out of communication with, the tubing of the main body portion 2. Thus, when all of the valves are in their released or normal positions as illustrated in FIG. 1, all of the auxiliary tubes 36a, b, c and d are out of communication with the tubing of the main body 2 so that the air from mouthpiece 34 passes directly from inlet portion 30 through the valve carrying portion 26, tuning portion 6 and the tubing of the main body portion 2 to the bell shaped section 4. This condition may be referred to as the open condition, or the open length of the instrument and is the condition wherein the air passage is shortest.

In the open conditionof the instrument, air passes from the mouthpiece 34 and inlet portion 30 directly through the valve carrying portion 26 of the tubing bypassing all of the auxiliary tubes 36a, b, c and d. The tuning portion 6 in the illustrated embodiment is on the downstream end of the valve carrying portion 26. The upstream section 14 of the tuning portion 6 extends from the fourth valve, or downstream valve 28d, and the downstream section 16 of the tuning portion 6 connects with the upstream end of an outer curved end portion 40 of a coiled section which in turn communicates with the inner end 42 of the coil. The air passage continues along the inner end portion 42 to a side portion 44, an outer curved end portion 46, an inner straight side portion 48, the inner curved end portion 12, a second outer straight side portion 50, an outer curved end portion 52, and the bell-shaped section 4.

The fourth auxiliary tube 36d controlled by the fourth valve 28d is formed into two looped sections 54 and 56. The looped section 54 has a pair of straight, parallel sections 58 and 60, and the looped section 56 has a pair of straight,

parallel sections

62 and 64, the

straight sections 58-64. projecting in the opposite direction from the main tuning slide; A' first fourth valve tuning slide 66 has aleg 68 telescopically received in the downstream straight section 58 of the one leg 76 telescopically received in the downstream straight section 62 of the looped portion 56 and a leg 78 telescopically received in the upstream straight section 64 of the looped portion 56 so that the base portion 80 of the second fourth valve tuning slide 74 can be pulled along the direction of the

straight sections

62 and 64 as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1 to adjust the length of the looped portion 56.'The upstream straight section 64 of the looped section 56 communicates with a section 82 extending generally parallel to thevalve carrying portion 26, which in turn connects with a section 84 extending to the fourth valve 28d on the opposite side from the inlet portion 86 of the fourth valve auxiliary tube 36d, which inlet portion connects with the downstream straight section 58 of loop portion 54. t

The auxiliary tubes 36a, b, c and d are each of different lengths. As shown in FIG. 1, the second auxiliary tube 36b is the shortest of the auxiliary tubes and the first, third and fourth

auxiliary tubes

36a, 0 and d progressively increase in length. Stated another way, the second, first, third and fourth auxiliary tubes 36b, 36a, 36c and 36d, respectively, are of successively increasing lengths. The length of the fourth valve auxiliary tube 36b is such that the fourth valve tuning slides 66 and 74 are operable to adjust the auxiliary tube 36d between a length equal to the tuned combined length of the first and third auxiliary tubes 36a and 360 and a length equal to the tuned combined length of the first, second and third auxiliary tubes 36a, 36b and 36c, respectively. The tuned combined length of two or more auxiliary tubes is equal to the sum of the lengths of the auxiliary tubes plus an additional length necessary to bring the instrument into tune. In other words, if the first and third valve keys 38a and 380 are simultaneously actuated to connect the first and third auxiliary tubes 36a and 360, respectively, to the main tubing, the

instrument will not be in tune because the air passage will be too short. In order to bring the instrument in tune with the first and third auxiliary tubes simultaneously connected with the main tubing, the main tuning slide must be adjusted to correct for the inadequate length. With the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the'length of the fourth auxiliary tube 36b is such that when the fourth valve tuning slides 66 and 74 are closed, operation of the fourth valve key 38d to connect the fourth auxiliary tube 36d with the main tubing produces the same result as would be accomplished'by actuation of the first and third valve keys with adjustment of the main tuning slide to correct for the otherwise inadequate length. Similarly,if the first,

second and third valve keys 38a, 38b, and 38c, respec-v tively, are simultaneously actuated to connect the first,

, be obtained without the necessity of adjusting the main tuning slide. Accordingly, the fourth valve fingerings are available on a CC tuba as illustrated in FIG. 4a. FIG. 4a should, of course, not be construed in a limiting sense but is merely exemplary of the possibilities available with a particular instrument incorporating the invention. For example, identical fingerings one tone lower would be available for a BBb tuba.

Thus, the fourth valve tuning slides 66 and 74 can be extended to lower the pitch an additional one-half tone enabling the performer to descend to the fundamental pitch chromatically. The need for a fifth valve is thus eliminated, and positive tuning in the pedal register is possible. The range of notes available with

slides

66 and 74 extended is shown in FIG. 4b, and the notes available with slides 66 and 7 4 closed is shown in FIG. 4c for a CC tuba embodying the present invention. Again, it should be pointed out that FIGS. 4b and 40 should not be construed in a limiting sense but are merely exemplary of the possibilities available with one necessary so that tuning for all notes can be easily achieved through the main tuning slide. As shown in FIG. 2, the main tuning slide is accessible to the players left hand over the inner curved portion 12 of the body portion 2 which is adjacent the end of the bell- I shaped portion 4.

When it is desired to play a note requiring the addition of the approximate length of auxiliary tubes 36a and 36b to the tubing of the main body portion 2, the performer can depress keys 38a and 38b and at the same time adjust the'main tuning slide 8 without having to change the position of his hands or of the instrument and can continue to perform while making the adjustment. Additional combinations provided by the extended and closed positions of the fourth valve slides 66 and 74 with the first, second and third valves can be brought into tune by the main tuning slide 8 as well.

While a specific form of the invention has been illustrated and described in the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown, but that alterations in the construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. l

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bellshaped portion;

a valve carrying portion at the end of said body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion;

an inlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end;

a plurality of valves mounted on said. valve carrying I portion;

a main tuning portion formed in-said body portion, said main turning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped por tion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section;

an auxiliary tube carried by each valve for selective communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valveto .increase the length of air passage from the'mouthpiece receiving end to the end of the bell-shaped portion;

at least one of said auxiliary tubes being formed with two looped portions each of which includes a pair of straight, parallel open-ended sections, and a pair of U-shaped auxiliary-tuningslides each having legs telescopically mounted in one pair of said straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said auxiliary tube; i

said main tuning slide being accessible over the inner curved portion of the body portion adjacent the end of the bell-shaped portion to one hand of the player to be manipulated thereby while performing.

2. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main tuning portion is downstream from said valve carrying portion.

3. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bellshaped'portion.

4. A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bellshaped portion; I

four valves mounted on said valve carrying portion, each valve having an auxiliary tube associated therewith for communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to increase the length of air passage through the instrument;

a main tuning portion formed in said body portion, said main turning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section;

at least one of said auxiliary tubes being formed with two looped portions each having a pair of straight parallel, open-ended sections, and a pair of auxiliary tuning slides each having legs telescopically mounted in one of said pair of straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said one auxiliary tube.

5. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said main tuning portion is downstream from said valve carrying portion.

located located 6. A brass wind instrument as set forth inclaim wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally three remaining auxiliary tubes. I

8.'A valved brass wind instrument as claimed in I claim 4 wherein said one auxiliary tube is selectively adjustable between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the remaining auxiliary-tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of the three remaining auxiliary tubes. 1

9; A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portionterminating in a bellshaped portion;

- a valve carrying portion at the end-of said body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion;

. said first and second, fourth valve tuning slides are operable to adjust said fourth auxiliary tube-between-a length equal to the tuned combined lengths of said first and third auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of said first, secondand third aux'i tubes. Y

I l A brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tuan nlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end;

first, second, third, and fourth .valves mounted onv said valve carrying portion sequentially in: a downstream direction from said inlet portion; first, second, third and fourth auxiliary tubes connected respectively with said first,- second, third and fourth valves for communication with said body portion upon actuationof the respective valve to I selectively increase the length of the air passage through the instrument; said fourth auxiliary tube being formed into two looped sections each having a pair of straight sections projecting in the op- .posite direction from said main tuning slide with first and second fourth valve; tuning slides telescopically mounted in respective ones of said pairs of straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said fourth auxiliary tube; amain tuning portion formed in said body portion, said main tuning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section; said main tuning slide being accessibleover the inner curved portion of the body portion adjacent the end of the bell-shaped portion to one hand of the player to be manipulated thereby while performmg.

10. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 9, wherein said main tuning portion is located downstream from said valve carrying portion.

, 11. A brass wind instrument as 'set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bellshaped portion.

12. A valved brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second, first, third and fourth auxiliary tubes are of successively increasing lengths, and

bular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped por tion; four valves mounted on said body portion; an auxiliary tube connected with each valve for communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to selectively increase the length of the air passage through the instrument; one of said auxiliary tubes being formed into two looped portions; and a pair of auxiliary tuning slides each of which is telescopically mounted in one of said looped portions of said auxiliary tubes foradjusting said one auxiliary tube between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the other auxiliary tubes and a length equalto the tuned combined length of the three other auxiliary tubes.

. 14. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: a main tuning portion on saidbody portion including a pair of straight, parallel open-ended sections projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion insubstantial parallel relationship with the axis of the end of the bell-shapedportion, and, a U-shaped main tuning slide having a pair of legs each of which is telescopically received in one of said straight sections with the base of the U-shaped 'main tuning slide proand accessible to a hand of the player while performing for adjustment along said straight sections toselectively vary the open length of the instrument.

15. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 14 wherein said main tuning portion straight sections and corresponding main tuning slide legs are of different diameters with the. upstream straight section and tuning slide leg smaller than the downstream straightse'ction and tuning slide leg, the base of the main tuning slide progressively increasing in cross-section from its upstream leg to its downstream leg. 3

16. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 15 including a valve carrying portion at the end of the body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion; said valves being mounted in series on said valve carrying portion.

17. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 16 wherein said main tuning portion is located downstream from said valve carrying portion.

18. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 17 including an inlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end.

19. A brass windinstrument as claimed in claim 18 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bellshaped section.

Claims

1. A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped portion; a valve carrying portion at the end of said body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion; an inlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end; a plurality of valves mounted on said valve carrying portion; a main tuning portion formed in said body portion, said main turning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section; an auxiliary tube carried by each valve for selective communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to increase the length of air passage from the mouthpiece receiving end to the end of the bell-shaped portion; at least one of said auxiliary tubes being formed with two looped portions each of which includes a pair of straight, parallel open-ended sections, and a pair of U-shaped auxiliary tuning slides each having legs telescopically mounted in one pair of said straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said auxiliary tube; said main tuning slide being accessible over the inner curved portion of the body portion adjacent the end of the bell-shaped portion to one hand of the player to be manipulated thereby while performing.

2. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main tuning portion is located downstream from said valve carrying portion.

3. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bell-shaped portion.

4. A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped portion; a valve carrying portion at the end of said body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion; an inlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end; four valves mounted on said valve carrying portion, each valve having an auxiliary tube associated therewith for communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to increase the length of air passage through the instrUment; a main tuning portion formed in said body portion, said main turning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section; at least one of said auxiliary tubes being formed with two looped portions each having a pair of straight parallel, open-ended sections, and a pair of auxiliary tuning slides each having legs telescopically mounted in one of said pair of straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said one auxiliary tube.

5. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said main tuning portion is located downstream from said valve carrying portion.

6. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 5 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bell-shaped portion.

7. A valved brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein said one auxiliary tube is selectively adjustable between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the remaining auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of the three remaining auxiliary tubes.

8. A valved brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 4 wherein said one auxiliary tube is selectively adjustable between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the remaining auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of the three remaining auxiliary tubes.

9. A valved brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped portion; a valve carrying portion at the end of said body portion opposite said bell-shaped portion; an inlet portion extending from said valve carrying portion and having a mouthpiece receiving end; first, second, third, and fourth valves mounted on said valve carrying portion sequentially in a downstream direction from said inlet portion; first, second, third and fourth auxiliary tubes connected respectively with said first, second, third and fourth valves for communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to selectively increase the length of the air passage through the instrument; said fourth auxiliary tube being formed into two looped sections each having a pair of straight sections projecting in the opposite direction from said main tuning slide with first and second fourth valve tuning slides telescopically mounted in respective ones of said pairs of straight sections for selectively adjusting the length of said fourth auxiliary tube; a main tuning portion formed in said body portion, said main tuning portion including a tuning slide projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion and adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the end of the bell-shaped section; said main tuning slide being accessible over the inner curved portion of the body portion adjacent the end of the bell-shaped portion to one hand of the player to be manipulated thereby while performing.

11. A brass wind instrument as set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bell-shaped portion.

12. A valved brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second, first, third and fourth auxiliary tubes are of successively increasing lengths, and said first and second, fourth valve tuning slides are operable to adjust said fourth auxiliary tube between a length equal to the tuned combined lengths of said first and third auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of said first, second and third auxiliary tubes.

13. A brass wind instrument comprising: a coiled tubular body portion terminating in a bell-shaped portion; four valves mounted on said body portion; an auxiliary tube connected wiTh each valve for communication with said body portion upon actuation of the respective valve to selectively increase the length of the air passage through the instrument; one of said auxiliary tubes being formed into two looped portions; and a pair of auxiliary tuning slides each of which is telescopically mounted in one of said looped portions of said auxiliary tubes for adjusting said one auxiliary tube between a length equal to the tuned combined length of two of the other auxiliary tubes and a length equal to the tuned combined length of the three other auxiliary tubes.

14. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: a main tuning portion on said body portion including a pair of straight, parallel open-ended sections projecting toward the end of the bell-shaped portion in substantial parallel relationship with the axis of the end of the bell-shaped portion, and a U-shaped main tuning slide having a pair of legs each of which is telescopically received in one of said straight sections with the base of the U-shaped main tuning slide projecting toward the open end of the bell-shaped portion and accessible to a hand of the player while performing for adjustment along said straight sections to selectively vary the open length of the instrument.

15. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 14 wherein said main tuning portion straight sections and corresponding main tuning slide legs are of different diameters with the upstream straight section and tuning slide leg smaller than the downstream straight section and tuning slide leg, the base of the main tuning slide progressively increasing in cross-section from its upstream leg to its downstream leg.

19. A brass wind instrument as claimed in claim 18 wherein said valve carrying portion extends diagonally from said inlet portion away from the end of the bell-shaped section.