The Cabbage has returned from Boston, to discover that the hornlist has collapsed in his absence.
Chris S suggested the following experiment:
Pick up your horn as normal, only use your little finger on the 3rd valve, ring (finger) on the 2nd valve, and middle (finger) on the 1st. Now play something unfamiliar in E transposition. Was it harder or easier than you expected?
It was extremely hard, but then, I expected it. Once I put my fingers in these recommended positions, I found that I couldn't pick up the horn at all. And if I pick up the horn normally, and then put my fingers in these positions, then the horn falls on the floor. Finally, I found that I could pick up the horn this way when I use superglue on the ends of my fingers. Without this expedient, it is necessary for me to lie on the floor while playing the horn this way.
I suggest that Chris's wits have been addled. After all, he is one of the few people to have avoided missing two of my recent Boston appearances. Perhaps if Chris discovers a more effective pick up line in the future, he will let us know what it is.
Gotta go,
Cabbage