the VII LH table keys are wide. but i place my pinky in a small area next to each key - on all horns. so my pinky does not move much .... just so much visual area to possibly put your pinky.
The VII tenor key was originally built with too much gap between the keys. the later ones dn't have that gap - they shortened the tabs between the keys. the early VIIs you have to move your pinky alot (but i shortened the tabs on mine so it's a shorter movement)
on my Couf tenors it was basically this
the thumb rest was 1inch too high. i put a spacer in it which positioned my hand much better to the DEF touches and RH pinky. RH pinky was perfect. But then i also noticed that the thumbrest was too far left. i created a temporary thumb thing to move my thumb around. but no matter where i put it there was something wrong here or there - side keys, pinky keys, DEF side/top F#.
I really didn't notice this much over the years - in HighSchool everyone played Coufs (except my main alto was a Selmer) - my tenor was a Couf - school horns were Coufs (mr coufs store didn't sell any Selmers either).
i never really noticed any speed diff until i tried playing flight of the bumblebee on tenor - i play it at about twice the written tempo. i've always played it on my selmer alto & clarinet. but i all of a sudden could not play the RH fast. strange eh ? I had a SBA in at the time and A/B the two. I could out play myself on the selmer (hey, plus the tone was legendary SBA). i then ABd Selmer copies and found that my RH was faster on those too.
I then pulled out my altos and had he same issue. the RH problem is there on the alto too though not as prevalent as on the tenor. I could outplay my couf alto with my Selmer.
BUT my wrists and arms have fused bones in them. for instance, i could never wait on tables becz i cannot hold a tray flat at shoulder level (neither can my kids). so i have less flexibility than most.
i'm sure if you searched the Couf section here you can find the thread - from a couple years ago.
