interested in Euphium

[pastordale]

I am a tuba player and never paid much attention to the eupohium. Please forgive you euph loyalists. But just lately I saw a couple of demos on You Tube.I lived the sound of the horns and they peaked my interest. I have read that in Great Briton the euponium is favored over the tuba. Is that true? And why? It seems to me that the euponium is not much different than a baritone. Can someone enlighten me how a eupohium can take the place of a tuba in a band or orchestra. The reason that I am asking is that I like the sound of it but I don't know how I would use it. Will it play low enough and full enough to play a bass line in a group?

[davewerden]

Where did you read that euphonium is favored over tuba in Great Britain? Perhaps that was referring to the SOLO capabilities of each. Certainly is more favored as a solo instrument.

However, I don't think there is a feeling that tuba is not as favored in a band. In brass bands they usually have 2 EEb tubas and 2 BBb tubas. Those instruments add the hugely-important bottom end to the sound, and brass band music has terrific tuba parts, often in divisi.

[daruby]

To answer your question: Can a euphonium play a bass line a group...yes to a point. I often play bass lines on my euphonium and have subbed for the tuba player in our local community band when he cannot make a gig. This works fairly well when we play inside venues but is pretty weak outside. Also, there is no way I sound as good, full or rich as a real tuba.

Further, I practice EVERY day over a 4 octave range from pedal Cb (1-2-3-4) to high D in my daily routine. I find my useable range to be from pedal F (1st partial) to high Db. I practice 1/8th note two octave scales in all keys starting from pedal Bb in a constant metronome of around 160 bpm.

My point is that it takes lots of practice to get a useable low range (in the 4th valve 2nd partial down through the pedal range).

As regards the difference between euphonium and baritone, for all intents and purposes, there is none in the American wind literature. British-style brass bands are another story. (See David's article on the Difference Between Euphonium and Baritone).

Doug

P.S. I have moved this topic to the subgroup "Your Development as a Musician" rather than "For Sale or Trade".

[pastordale]

Thank you for the response. I remember reading an article a year or so ago that gave me that impression. You have cleared up a misunderstanding that I had.

[pastordale]

Thank you for the time you took to make this explanation for me.

I returned to the tuba last year after a 52 year hiaitis and now that I know that I can play again I'm looking for a new horn. That's when I came across the euphonium and became interested in it.

I have narrowed my instrument search down to a" JinBao" Bb tuba that is imported by Tom McGrady (Mack Brass) in Virginia. From all reports and comparisons that I have been able to find this Chinese import seems to be a respectable horn.

I have watched and listened to "You Tube" demos on this tuba and so far I am impressed with it. And it's affordable.

I also find myself interested in a compensating eupohonium. But since I know nothing much about them of how they are used in an orchestra of a band I posted on the forum hoping to get some information about them. I'm trying to ascertain if a eupohonium would be practical for me to have in addition a tuba and in what capacity I might use it.

[pmeuph]

Euphoniums are almost never used in an Orchestral setting. There is very little repertoire (approx. 50 pieces) for euphonium as a member of the orchestra.

However, in a wind band, the Euphonium can have some truly great parts. This is especially true in the hands of a composer who enjoys the lyrical quality of the euphonium. A lot of repertoire for modern wind band has great solos or counter-melodies for euphonium.