Everything Alto Horns
Our brass band has had a long standing shortage in alto horns, and our director queried the euphonium section (which has 2 extras) if there was any interest in moving over. The idea is not appealing to me at first glance, but I realized I know next to nothing about this instrument, other than it attracts alot of french horn players, and it is pitched in Eb. A couple of questions:
Can you use a small shank trombone mouthpiece in alto horn? I absolutely would not think of using the 19ish mm rims that seem popular with alto horns, but what size is the mouthpiece receiver? If it accomodates small shank trombone mouthpieces, I may think again.
What about the fingerings? I have always heard that the beauty of the brass band system is the ability to interchange players with great ease. So, if you see a third space treble clef C (concert Bb), an Eb would come out of the instrument, but it would be fingered the same as a concert Bb Iin other words, open), correct? Any other thoughts about this would be appreciated. This would be a huge challenge for me also, as although I read Bb treble fluently, I read it like tenor clef, and add two flats to the key signature...so I can stay in concert pitch mentally, as I'm a bass clef native.
I probably won't go for this, but I'd just like to learn more.
- Scott
Euphoniums: Dillon 967, Monzani MZEP-1150S, Dillon 1067 (kid’s horn)
Bass Trombones: Greenhoe GB5-3G, Getzen 1052FDR, JP232
King Jiggs P-bone