How many of you know what a Euphonium is?

Question

I just want to try and see how many play this wonderful horn.

Answer 1

Ok folks. Time to dispel some myths. The Euphonium is NOT a Baritone. They are similar, but THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. The difference is in the size of the bore (which is the inside diameter of the tubing). A Baritone is smaller than a Euphonium. Also, a Euphonium has a conical bore while a Baritone has a cylindrical bore. The size of the Baritone is somewhat smaller than the Euphonium. The Baritone is used primarily in British Brass Bands, while the Euphonium is used in most American Wind Band settings. With only a few exceptions, Baritones are NOT PLAYED IN AMERICAN SCHOOL BAND SETTINGS. If your Band Director calls your horn a Baritone, he or she is likely mistaken. 99.9% of the time it is actually a Euphonium. Both a Baritone and a Euphonium can have either 3 or 4 valves. The bell will most often face up, but there is a hybrid horn with the bell forward and a combination conical and cylindrical bore that was historically popular in American high school Band programs. This is somewhat of a mix between a Baritone and a Euphonium, though the bore is larger, so it is more similar to the Euphonium.

There are many different brands and several different types of Euphoniums. The main types are: student model 3-valve horns, intermediate model 3- or 4-valve horns, and professional 4-vavle compensating horns. Compensating horns allow the player to play more notes and to play better in tune. The 4th compensating valve is most often located on the lower right side of the horn, and is played with the left hand, while the other three valves are on the top and played with the right hand. The compensating mechanism is quite expensive to build, and the horns therefore cost substantially more than the regular student or intermediate models.

As far as performers are concerned, the two most popular Euphonium players alive today are probably Brian Bowman from the University of North Texas, and Steven Mead from England. The founding father of Euphonium playing in the US was Leonard Falcone, Professor of Music at Michigan State University. If you can find a recording of his performances, buy it. More information on Dr. Falcone and the Tuba/Euphonium competition in his name and honor can be found at www.falconefestival.org.

The Euphonium is one of the most sonorous and beautiful instruments that has ever existed in the hands of a good player. It's tone is dark and smooth. It's sound is the closest to the male human voice of any instrument. I am glad that I was introduced to it almost 20 years ago, rather than the drums or sax that I thought I wanted to play at the time.

Answer 2

I know what one is. It is a baritone horn with the bell turned forward and flattened out a bit, It is what the band director stuck me on because she already had too many trumpet players! I studied on one for a summer (mostly lying down on my bed while playing it!)

But the best thing about it is the fingering! If you use baritone/euphonium fingering on a trumpet, it transposes the notes so that the trumpet-player can read off a "lead" sheet in concert key and does not have to transpose keys!

Answer 3

The Bhagavad gita says that Vishnu played one in the Boston Pops.

Answer 4

i played euphonium in wind ensemble last year :)

i played trombone in jazz ensemble this year.

i marched on tuba my freshman year of high school.

and i used to play flute and trumpet i n middle school :)

Answer 5

I know what it is but i don't play one i play Frnech Horn

Answer 6

I was in marching band for four years. I always liked that instrument. It has such a beautiful mellow sound.

Answer 7

it is a marching baritone. if you play baritone in concert band, you play euphonium when you march.

Answer 8

I know what it is. It's a baritone. My brother played it in middle school and high school. My dad played it when he was in school, too.

Answer 9

I know what it is, but I don't play it. I'm a woodwind specialist.

Answer 10

I do. It was in my brass methods class last semester.