The 4th valve on euphonium and tuba
Many euphoniums, baritones, and tubas have a 4th valve. It does two jobs: it gives you better-in-tune fingerings for a few low notes you already play, and it fills in the low notes between low E and the pedal B♭. This guide covers what the 4th valve does, which fingerings change, and how to start using it.
What the 4th valve does
Each valve adds tubing. Valve 2 lowers the pitch a half step, valve 1 a whole step, and valve 3 a step and a half (see The harmonic series and brass valve combinations). The 4th valve lowers the pitch by five half steps, a perfect 4th. That is the same amount as 1-3 together.
So why not just use 1-3? Each valve's tubing is measured to work on the open horn. When you press two or three valves at once, the extra tubing adds up to a little less than the note needs, so 1-3 and 1-2-3 play sharp. The 4th valve is a single, longer loop built for that interval, so it sits much closer to in tune.
Depending on the instrument, you press the 4th valve with your right pinky (four valves in a row) or your left index finger (a valve on the side). Either way, it works the same.
Fingerings that change
On a 4-valve horn, two swaps cover most of your playing: use 4 in place of 1-3 and 2-4 in place of 1-2-3.
| Note (bass clef) | 3 valves | 4 valves |
|---|---|---|
| C (2nd space) | 1-3 | 4 |
| B (2nd line) | 1-2-3 | 2-4 |
| F (below the staff) | 1-3 | 4 |
| E (1st ledger line below) | 1-2-3 | 2-4 |
The old fingerings still work, and in a fast passage 1-3 can be easier. But for long notes and anything exposed, the 4th valve sounds better.
The low register
On a 3-valve horn, low E (1-2-3) is the lowest note before the pedal range. The 4th valve fills in the notes below it:
| Note | Fingering |
|---|---|
| E♭ | 1-4 |
| D | 1-2-4 (or 3-4) |
| D♭ / C♯ | 2-3-4 |
| C | 1-3-4 |
These notes tend to run sharp, more so the lower you go, because they combine three or four valves. Many professional horns are compensating: they have extra loops of tubing that fix the tuning of these low notes. Most school horns are not, so you lip these notes down and check them with a tuner. Low B (1-2-3-4) is very sharp on a non-compensating horn and is usually played other ways, so Brass Trainer stops at C.
Practicing with the 4th valve
- Turn it on in Brass Trainer. Open the settings in Brass Trainer, pick baritone/euphonium or tuba, and choose 4 valves. The 4th-valve fingerings appear in a second row: Shift + 1–7 on a keyboard.
- Start with C and F. Play C (2nd space) with 1-3, then with 4, against a tuner or drone. Hear how much closer 4 is. Then do the same with B and E.
- Slow chromatic scale down. From F (4th line) down to low C, one note per click, holding each note until it's in tune.
- Use Alternates. The Alternates drill asks for every fingering of a note, so you learn both 1-3 and 4.