Toughest music piece

[Michael McKenna]

New to the site here.

I agree with the posts about Festive Overture and The Melody Shop. Played both many times. When I was playing with the US Army Europe Band years ago, we played both on tour. I decided I was going to take the time to get them both down. Festive Overture, in my opinion, comes down to putting in the hours (lots of hours) to get your fingers strong enough and flexible to play the demanding sections. I love and hate that piece for the same reasons. Every time I go back to it, I have to go to the same drill again.

The Melody Shop is darn near impossible to play 100% perfect because you have to breath somewhere. I have performed it many times as part of a group. In this situation, you can actually plan to lay out a few notes here and there so you can take a quick breath. If you practice taking that breath while playing the part, it will help greatly. And as long as no more than one is breathing at a time, it will never be noticed. If playing it by yourself, prayer may help. Seriously, if you are by yourself and you have to play it in a feature setting, there are a few places where you can drop a note where it will not hurt the flow. Take solace in the fact that The Melody Shop is difficult for almost everybody out there. Fun in a group and downright scary when by yourself.

[Michael McKenna]

As far as the most difficult pieces I have played. That is hard to answer because I have played so many. For Euphonium parts in an ensemble, some Bernstein parts can be murder. Pineapple Poll for the beginning and Jupiter (the original key), also the beginning, stand out. Used to get Pineapple Poll on a lot of auditions. they were checking to see if I knew alternate fingerings.

As far as feature pieces, it is hard to pick out the most difficult because many take that title in different ways. I remember Symphonic Varients giving me fits in the 90s and it took significant time to prepare it for performance. I have not played it since then and I have gained a lot in the ensuing years but I suspect it would still be difficult today. I am currently preparing "Harlequin" by Sparke for an upcoming performance. That piece is tough as well.

[RickF]

Well all these posts about "Pineapple Poll" has caught up with me it seems. We're supposed to play this piece in our opening concert in October. That will be a tough start with the band being shut down for three months. A lot of folks don't practice enough during the off-season. I'm already planning to practice Dave's and Neal's recommended alternate fingerings for the first movement. (Euph audition advice - click 'strategies' - 'Sullivan, Pineapple Poll').

For those who haven't played this piece, you can listen to the complete recording on the publisher's webpage here:

Aflred Music: Pineapple Poll (Suite form the Ballet) - Sir Arthur Sullivan, arr. W.J. Duthoit

....

[John Morgan]

Well all these posts about "Pineapple Poll" has caught up with me it seems. We're supposed to play this piece in our opening concert in October. That will be a tough start with the band being shut down for three months. A lot of folks don't practice enough during the off-season. I'm already planning to practice Dave's and Neal's recommended alternate fingerings for the first movement. (Euph audition advice - click 'strategies' - 'Sullivan, Pineapple Poll').

For those who haven't played this piece, you can listen to the complete recording on the publisher's webpage here:

Aflred Music: Pineapple Poll (Suite form the Ballet) - Sir Arthur Sullivan, arr. W.J. Duthoit

....

Good luck with that, Rick, and may the force be with you!!

[Snorlax]

I think ALL my euphonium parts are difficult.

[RickF]

I think ALL my euphonium parts are difficult.

Ha, I agree. As I get older ALL the parts are harder.

FYI. If anyone needs a treble clef version of Dave and Neal's alternate fingerings I have a close representation of that.

[RickF]

Had to share this... too funny.

I started working on "Pineapple Poll". I agree it's really tough. Especially the 'Opening'. I've been using Dave's and Neal's alternate fingering suggestion and it really helps. BUT, all the notes don't speak the same with all the added tubing with 4th valve down. Takes quite a bit of practice to use the right amount of air. As I'm practicing I noticed a solo on my stand entitled, "If I Only Had A Brain". Seemed so appropriate for what I've been trying to play.

[davewerden]

Rick,

Try using 34 instead of 124 as the alternate, at least where it works as a fingering. There are fewer bends, so it is not quite as stuffy.

[RickF]

Thanks Dave. I'll try that. Should have thought of that already since I use 3 for concert 'G' on the staff all the time.

[RickF]

We had our concert last night that included Pineapple Poll. The euph section figured out how to sound good in the opening section of Pineapple Poll... have another eupher join the band who has his master's degree in euphonium performance . This new member (Eon) got his BA at Indiana when Harvey was there and got his Master's in performance at FSU. He told me he could never really play the 'PP' opening well but he did well. The other two two of us just held our horns for those 12 measures. The rest of the piece is doable, but that first section is still tough for the other two of us. It sounds muddy with alternate fingerings but the notes were there.

[RickF]

This is an older thread, but we just got two pieces in our folders for our first concert that were mentioned here. "Festive Overture" again and "The Cowboys" (John Williams, arr. James Curnow). Dennis (aka Highpitch) mentioned this one on a previous page. 'The Cowboys' is at a fast tempo of around 140 bpm and there are lots of divisi notes that can be challenging to read and keep straight. I noticed that this piece is on a lot of military band audition requirements.

[spkissane]

This is an older thread, but we just got two pieces in our folders for our first concert that were mentioned here. "Festive Overture" and "The Cowboys" (John Williams, arr. James Curnow). Dennis (aka Highpitch) mentioned this one on a previous page. 'The Cowboys' is at a fast tempo and there are lots of divisi notes that can be challenging to read and keep straight. I noticed that this piece is on a lot of military band audition requirements.

SUCH a fun tune to play!

[anadmai]

The festive overture for brass band is an amazing transcription.

[rgorscak]

When I played in an Eastern United States Honors Band, back in the 60s, we had played a piece that I really liked, but over the years, I never remembered the name. I know it dealt with the oil rush, but I thought it was called Oklahoma. After all these years, I finally found out the name, Tulsa!!

Of course, if I could play it then, I probably could not do it now. Besides, the bands I play with now are not up to that caliber. But I am still glad I majored in Physics and Math.

[rgorscak]

i wonder though if it was the same piece. When was this Tulsa first published?