Posted by: Horn Guru
Email:
Date Posted: August 12, 2008
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-extension
This is surely how a Bb/F alto horn should be regarded - as a single Bb with some extra options.
It's also my belief that it's not a horn you leave in your cupboard until you suddenly grab it in a moment of sheer panic. It really needs regular practice to get the best out of it.
But the valve slides are NOT long enough to be "pulled" to make an F basso horn. (Did you omit the word "not", John?) When you switch in the F extension by pressing the second thumb lever, you will get the open harmonics of the F horn, and that's all, unless you pull out the tuning slide of the extension, or experiment with some unorthodox fingering combinations to find some other notes in tune.