Which finger for fourth valve on a euphonium

[Elow]

Just curious what everyone uses to press down their fourth valve on the side, i use my middle, but apparently that’s uncommon. I think it’s because i double bass trombone, so i’m used to using that finger

[robcat2075]

I played a Euphonium in college that had the fourth valve on the side. It was not a "compensating" valve design, it had a slide intended for that compensating that I rarely did.

But the way one held that horn it seemed to be wanting the first finger on that fourth valve rather than some other.

Edit: now that i think about it, this is impossible. You can't have a slide and fourth valve operated by the left hand. I must be thinking of two different Euphoniums!

[BGuttman]

My 4 valve Euph is 4 up, so I use the pinkie for that. I have an Eb tuba that is 3 up and 1 over and I use the index finger on that.

[hyperbolica]

My first 4v euph was a right-leaning British traditional 3+1 where the 3 are on the top using the right hand and the 1 is lower, using a finger of the left (I guess the index finger) , which I guess what you are asking about.

My second euphonium has 4v inline in front , pinky drives the 4th valve, left-leaning horn. This is the Wessex Festivo, one of only 2 compensating 4v in front horns in existence.

My 3rd euphonium is the right-leaning, King 2280, 4v on top, non compensating. Pinky on 4.

And I'm trying to get a 4 In front, left-leaning non-compensating (pinky on 4) 24i.

And I have a 4v in front non-comp BBb tuba.

I think "real" euph players use 3+1, and have a hard time adjusting to the pinky. But I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm not opposed to throwing a little pinky in here and there. It's a little awkward, but less awkward than the overall body position for 3+1.

Euphonium for me is an escape from the ergonomic nightmare of bass trombone,. 4 in the front is like holding a baby. 4 on top or 3+1 is like scratching your right side as you throw a baseball.

[Bonearzt]

The few times I played a 4 up euph, I found it rather easy to use my left index on the 4th, as my right pinky is the weaker of my fingers.
And definitely left index on the 3+1

[BGuttman]

The few times I played a 4 up euph, I found it rather easy to use my left index on the 4th, as my right pinky is the weaker of my fingers.
...

This is the way I've seen a lot of trumpet players handle a 4 valve trumpet.

[BHolleyBrass]

The tuning trigger on most 3+1 euphoniums is typically operated with the left thumb and the fourth valve is typically operated by the left index finger. Either finger works without a trigger, but the tuning trigger adds: 1. more weight to the left hand and 2. a very awkward hand position if you're trying to use the thumb trigger for the slide and the middle finger on the fourth valve. Using the index finger on the fourth valve puts all of that weight on the bottom three fingers together. Endurance(and speed)-wise, it makes more sense to use the left index finger, so that's what I do and what I teach.

Some folks (myself included) use the left forefinger to operate the fourth valve on 4-inline-style euphoniums (like the YEP-321). Like hyperbolica said, the four front action valves are much more pinky-activating-friendly than the four on top horns (at least on the 5J-style tubas).

[bbocaner]

I use the index finger but I have seen a few of the top professionals using their middle finger so I wouldn't say it's wrong.

[spencercarran]

N/A - 3 valves is enough

[Cotboneman]

I use my index finger on my compensating Euphonium.

[Pezza]

I use my index & middle together. I used to just use my index, but when I routered off the tip I had to use the middle finger. After it healed I used both, now for over 25 years!

[mrdeacon]

Funny just finding this topic! I use my middle finger. I have smaller hand and use the index finger to help grip the instrument. Easier to hold that way and I eventually got used to using my middle finger.

[mbtrombone]

Just saw this post/poll. I use my middle because my index can only just reach the fourth valve in a 3+1 configuration. This goes for one euphonium with a tuning trigger activated by the thumb and one euphonium that doesn’t have a tuning trigger. I am also primarily a bass trombone player so my middle finger is more nimble than my index on my left hand.