How do I care for my valves/slides?Firstly, let us note that valve oil, slide oil, and rotary oil are all slightly different! Their components and viscosity (thickness) may differ according to their different applications. Valve oil is for piston valves for trumpet, euphonium, baritone, or tubas. Slide oil is for trombone slides (you would use a thicker slide grease or slide cream for other brass instrument slides), and rotary oil is specifically for rotor valve instruments.

Piston valves should be regularly oiled with a high-quality valve oil. Take the piston out of the casing and use a clean cloth to wipe down the pistons before applying new oil and reassembling. For Rotary valves, take off the top rotor cap and add a drop of oil to the center of the rotor valve, using the lever to move it around a little. Then, take out the corresponding slide (push down the lever while pulling out the slide), put a few drops down into the body of the instrument (not into the slide) and again move the lever a few times to disperse the oil around the rotor valve.

Once or twice a year we recommend taking your instrument to your local repair shop for a complete flush (professional cleaning) and playing condition adjustment. Return to top. 

What is a Conical Bore?A conical bore refers to the inner dimensions of tubing on brass instruments. Think of the word “cone” – a round shape that gradually increases from a point to a round base. Conical instruments start small at the mouthpiece and gradually increase throughout the instrument. Cylindrical instruments generally remain the same through the lead pipe and valve nest, then increase throughout the bell tubing. 

CYLINDRICAL BORE	CONICAL BORE
Trumpet	Cornet or Flugelhorn
Trombone	French Horn
Baritone	Euphonium
	Tubas

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What is bore size, and how does it affect the instrument?Bore size is the measurement of the tubing where the mouthpiece goes into the instrument. Typical trombone/euphonium mouthpieces will typically range from 0.500” (for a student or lead tenor trombones up to 0.547”). The larger the bore of the instrument, the more air and breath support it takes. Larger-bore instruments typically have a full, rich sound. Smaller bore instruments typically feel like they have a bit more control for the player. Neither is necessarily better or worse than they other, they just have different feels and are most used in different styles of playing. A small-bore trombone might be best used as a lead jazz instrument (like a lead tenor trombone) while a large-bore instrument might be better used in an orchestral setting where projection, blend, and depth of sound are more desirable.Sampling of different bore sizes

	INSTRUMENT TYPE	BORE SIZE	BELL SIZE	ADD’L. FEATURES
TB512L	Student Tenor Trombone	0.500” (small)	8” Yellow Brass	ABS Case
TB541F	Student F-Attachment Trombone	0.547” (large)	8.5” Yellow Brass	Closed-wrap style
TB782L	Performer F-Attachment Trombone	0.525” (medium)	8.5” Gold Brass	Open Wrap
TB783L	Performer F-attachment Trombone	0.547” (large)	8.5” Gold Brass	Open Wrap
TBB980L	Artist Bass Trombone	0.562” (large)	9” Gold Brass	Double Independent Rotors

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How do I use the trigger on my F-attachment trombone?The F trigger will extend the low range of the instrument, and most importantly substitute for the 6th and 7th position notes, making technical passages easier to play. When the trigger is engaged, 6th position becomes 1st position and 7th position becomes 2nd position. Return to top.

What is a double-independent rotor on a bass trombone, and how do I use it?The double-independent rotor on a bass trombone is identified by two rotors in-line with the thumb trigger, and a lever on the side (operated by the second or third finger on the left hand). Using only the thumb trigger engages the F-side of the instrument (as in a regular F-attachment trombone), while using the side lever pitches the instrument into G-flat. Using both triggers together produces a trombone in D. An “independent” rotor configuration (like on the Accent TBB980L Bass Trombone) means that either the F-side trigger OR the G-flat-side lever can be engaged one at a time, or both together. All of these additions help technical facility by substituting notes in 6th and 7th position, and/or to extend the lower range of the instrument. Return to top.

What is the difference between baritone and euphonium?A true baritone has a cylindrical bore, and a Euphonium has a conical bore that gradually increases throughout all of the tubing. Either instrument can have 3 or 4 piston valves, and the 4-piston valves can either be top-action, front-action, or a combination of 3+1 (3 on top and 1 on the side).Sampling of Accent Baritones and Euphoniums

	Type	Size	Bore Size	Finish	Valve Style	Compensating?
BA541L	Baritone	3/4	0.504” (sm)	Lacquer	3 Top-Action	No
EU580L	Euphonium	4/4	0.571” (med)	Lacquer	3 Top-Action	No
EU784L	Euphonium	4/4	0.571” (med)	Lacquer	4 Top-Action	No
EU784S	Euphonium	4/4	0.571” (med)	Silver	4 Top-Action	No
EUC981S	Euphonium	4/4	0.610” (large)	Silver	3+1	Yes

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Does my euphonium have a Compensating System? Compensating Euphoniums will always have a 3+1 valve configuration – though be warned, not every 3+1-style euphonium is a true compensating instrument! To tell if a 3+1 euphonium does have a compensating system, look for little extra loops of tubing on the back of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd valve casings. Those extra loops help compensate – or adjust – for normal intonation inconsistencies of the instrument. Return to top.

What are the different styles of tubas?With tubas, there are four considerations to take when identifying the type of tuba. Pitch, Size, Valve Style, and Valve Location.

Pitch is defined as the key of an instrument. Instruments like flute and oboe are pitched in C, while many brass instruments (and clarinets) are in Bb. Alto Saxophones are in Eb, while French horns are pitched in F. Most tubas you will encounter for students are in the key of Bb, though several other options exist in the professional world.

The sizes most often considered are 3/4 size (good for physically smaller students) and 4/4 (i.e. “full”) size instruments. Occasionally you will see even larger instruments such as 5/4 or 6/4!

Valve Style refers to whether you have piston valves (like a trumpet) or rotary valves (like a French horn). Piston tubas may have 3 or 4 valves. Valve Style is linked closely to valve location. Valve Location refers to whether the valves are in front of the instrument or on top (like a euphonium). Front-action instruments can have rotary OR piston valves, while top-action instruments are almost exclusively piston valves.

Sampling of Tuba Styles

	SIZE	VALVE STYLE	VALVE LOCATION	BORE/BELL SIZE
TU571L	3/4	3 Pistons	Top-Action	0.661”/14.375”
TU771L	4/4	4 Pistons	Top-Action	0.728”/17.5”
TU745R	4/4	4 Rotors	Front-Action	0.728”/17.75”
TU981L	4/4	R Pistons	Front-Action	0.687”/18.5”

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