Yamaha Alto (Tenor) Horn/Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba/Sousaphone Owner's Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a high-quality musical instrument from Yamaha. This Owner's Manual provides essential instructions for the proper assembly of your instrument, and guidance on how to keep it in optimum condition for long-term use. Please read this manual thoroughly.

Precautions

The following precautions concern the proper and safe use of the instrument to protect you and others from damage or injuries. Please follow and obey these precautions. If children are using the instrument, a guardian should clearly explain these precautions and ensure they are understood and obeyed. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.

About the Icons

• ? Attention: Indicates points which should be paid attention to.

• ? Prohibited: Indicates actions that are prohibited.

• ⚠️ Caution: Disobeying the points indicated with this mark may lead to injury.

Safety Guidelines

• Do not throw or swing the instrument when others are close by, as the mouthpiece or other parts may fall off. Always treat the instrument gently.
• Keep oils, polishes, and small parts out of children's reach and mouths. Perform maintenance only when children are not present.
• Take care when storing large instruments. Lay cases on their side to prevent tipping. Close lids securely after removing the instrument.
• Be careful when carrying heavy instruments.
• Avoid catching your fingers in gaps between pipes or moving parts when transporting or operating valves and slides.
• For Sousaphones, ensure the three bell screws are firmly secured before use to prevent the bell from detaching.

NOTICE

• Be aware of climatic conditions (temperature, humidity). Keep the instrument away from heat sources and avoid extreme conditions, which can damage key balance, linkage, or pads.
• Never use benzene or thinner for maintenance on instruments with a lacquer finish, as this can damage the top coat.
• Avoid placing the instrument in unstable positions where it could fall and become disfigured.
• Do not modify the instrument, as this may void the warranty and make repairs impossible.
• For brass instruments with a plate finish, color changes over time are normal and do not affect performance. Early discoloration can be removed with maintenance.
• Use only accessories specified for the instrument's finish. Metal polishes remove a thin layer of the finish.

Nomenclature

This section provides detailed diagrams and labels for various instruments, illustrating their components. Key parts labeled across different models include:

• Bell: The flared opening of the instrument.
• Mouthpiece Receiver: Where the mouthpiece is inserted.
• Leadpipe: The initial tubing connecting the mouthpiece receiver to the valve system.
• Valve Casing: Houses the pistons or rotors.
• Valves: (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Rotary) Mechanisms that change the instrument's length and pitch.
• Tuning Slides: (Main, Secondary) Used for adjusting the overall pitch.
• Water Key: For draining condensation.
• Cap: Covers the valve pistons.
• Bit (Sousaphone): Part of the leadpipe assembly.
• Lever Shafts (Rotary Tuba): Connect rotors to player's fingers.
• Square Support (Marching Tuba): For adjusting leadpipe angle.

Specific diagrams are provided for Alto (Tenor) Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Top Action Tuba, Rotary Tuba, Front Action Tuba, Sousaphone, and Marching Tuba.

Before You Play

Applying Oil

• Apply oil to the pistons: Unscrew the valve cap, pull the piston partially out, apply about 10 drops of valve oil to the piston, and reinsert. Move the piston up and down to distribute oil. Ensure piston numbers match casing numbers.
• Apply oil to the rotors (Rotary Tuba Only): Remove valve cap, apply rotor spindle oil to the spindle and rotor center. Close cap, move lever to distribute oil.
• Apply lever oil: Apply oil to lever shafts.
• Distribute oil: Move levers and blow air through the instrument to evenly distribute oil.

Setting the Mouthpiece

Insert the mouthpiece until it fits snugly and is no longer loose in the leadpipe. Never force or hit the mouthpiece, as it may become stuck.

Assembling the Sousaphone

Connect the bell to the body so it faces the player. Loosen bell screws, insert the bell, and tighten the three screws evenly. Ensure screws remain tight during rests.

Assembling the Leadpipe (Sousaphone only)

Apply slide grease to the middle section of the leadpipe and insert it into the receiver. Tighten the receiver screw. Ensure the bit is removed after playing to prevent it from getting stuck.

Assembling the Marching Tuba (Marching series only)

The leadpipe can be switched for marching or concert use. Loosen screws A and B to remove the concert leadpipe, attach the marching leadpipe, and retighten. Use screw E and tighten screws C and D to adjust the leadpipe angle with the square support.

Tuning the Instrument

Slide the main tuning slide in or out to tune. Blow warm air through the instrument to warm it up before tuning. Temperatures affect pitch.

About the secondary main tuning slide (YCB-623/YBB-623 only)

⚠️ CAUTION: Never hold the secondary main tuning slide when lifting the instrument, as it may detach and cause injury or damage. This slide allows for fine-tuning. Adjust it to the home position (25 mm / 1 inch extension) before using the main tuning slide. It helps adjust pitch higher in cold conditions or when the instrument is not warm, and lower if the pitch is high.

About the 5th Valve Extension (YFB-621/YCB-822 Only)

The 5th valve extension lowers the instrument's pitch. It is used with the 4th valve to correct pitch in the lower range. The extension provides specific pitch changes (e.g., YFB-621: 4/3 steps lower with extension installed; 2/3 steps lower without).

About the 1st valve slide (YCB-623/YBB-623 only)

Tune the pitch by sliding the 1st valve slide while pressing only the 1st piston. This is characteristic of Bb/C front action tubas.

Putting the instrument in the case

Always store the instrument in its case during breaks, transport, and after playing. Disassemble the leadpipe assembly for sousaphones and marching tubas before casing.

About the mouthpiece

The standard mouthpiece is designed for a snug fit. Handle it with care; do not treat it roughly, drop, or damage it.

About the Compensating System

This system corrects pitch when multiple valves are depressed simultaneously, particularly useful for euphoniums and certain tubas. It also facilitates playing fast passages in the low range without complex fingering changes.

Maintenance

After Playing

• Valve slide maintenance: Depress the piston/lever, remove the slide, remove moisture from the slide and water key.
• Oil the pistons: Apply valve oil and move pistons.
• Oil the rotors (Rotary tuba only): Apply rotor spindle oil and move levers.
• Water Pot Maintenance (YEP-842 Euphonium only): Slide out and remove the water pot, empty and clean it, then reattach.

Body maintenance

Wipe the instrument surface with a polishing cloth. Use lacquer polish for lacquer finishes or silver polish for silver plate. Buff with a silicone cloth for shine.

Once or Twice a Month Maintenance

• Piston and valve casing maintenance: Wrap a cleaning rod with gauze (no exposed metal). Clean inside valve casings and pistons. Reapply valve oil and reinsert pistons carefully, ensuring valve guides align.

Rotor and valve casing maintenance

Apply rotor spindle oil to rotors and valve casings. Apply lever oil to lever shafts.

Valve slide maintenance

Wrap a cleaning rod with gauze. Remove dirt from inside and surface of valve slides. Apply slide grease to the inner section of the slide. Slide the valve in and out to distribute grease.

Other maintenance

Use fine gauze to clean hard-to-reach areas like the backsides of slides.

Twice Yearly Maintenance

• Cleaning the instrument: Prepare a brass soap water solution (10-15 parts warm water to 1 part brass soap). Remove pistons, valve casings, and slides before immersion. Clean pipes with a flexible cleaner. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, dry completely, reapply oil/grease, and reassemble. ⚠️ CAUTION for Rotary Tuba: Do not dismantle rotors. Rinse water in the opposite direction of airflow to prevent clogging.
• Cleaning the mouthpiece: Dip a mouthpiece brush in soap water solution and clean the throat. Rinse with clean water.

Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues and their solutions:

• Tone is not clear and pitch is poor: Check valve felt/cork, dirt accumulation, dents, or loose mouthpiece.
• No sound: Ensure piston holes align with valve casing holes.
• Valves are sluggish: Check for dirt, dust scratches, damaged pistons, or corrosion.
• Rotors are sluggish: Check for dirt between rotors and casings, or oil lever mechanisms.
• Valve slide is stuck or sluggish: Check for dirt/dust inside, or dents/bends.
• Screw is too tight: Check for corrosion or damage from hitting the instrument.
• Air does not pass through: Ensure pistons are in the correct valve casings.
• Mouthpiece cannot be removed: Instrument dropped, mouthpiece inserted with too much force, or left inserted for a long time.
• Abnormal sound when played: Check for loose solder or foreign objects in the pipe.
• Piston makes a metallic sound: Check for torn felt, loose screws, or bent piston shaft.
• Rotor lever makes a metallic sound: Check for contact with springs, pipes, loose screws, or loose rotor/valve casing.
• Water leaks from slides: Ensure sufficient grease is applied.

Fingering Charts Summary

This document includes comprehensive fingering charts for various Yamaha brass instruments. These charts cover:

• Alto (Tenor) Horn
• Baritone / Euphonium
• Various Tuba types (Top Action, Rotary, Front Action, Marching, Bb Tuba, Eb Tuba, C Tuba, F Tuba)
• Sousaphone

The charts detail fingerings for 3-valve, 4-valve, and compensating instruments, often indicating specific valve slide positions and their effect on pitch. They are intended as a guide for typical middle sound ranges, with advice to consult an instructor for more advanced information or specific playing conditions.

Company Information

© 2013 Yamaha Corporation. Published 02/2023. Address: 10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka 430-8650, Japan.