I am a 15 year old Euphonium player with a slight problem-I love orchestral music way too much. The Euphonium is a beautiful instrument (I personally believe that it would work fabulously as an orchestral instrument. If I ever get some significant amount of money in my life I'm thinking about commissioning orchestral music with Euphonium in it) but there are no parts written for it in full orchestra (with a few major exceptions). My eventual solution was to begin to learn trumpet (I could never get used to a trombone slide, or should I bite the bullet?). But unfortunately I'm preparing audition pieces for GHP (governors honors program) and school is getting crazy; I've had no time to practice on the instrument. Anyways, my first question is this: I may not be be able to have time to practice the instrument until after college. If I put in the time necessary to get proficient on the trumpet, will it matter that I'm learning it at 22? Even at that age, could I still become proficient enough ,after years of practice, to join a major symphony orchestra ,but at an older age than normal? In addition, even if I practice on the trumpet a lot, would I be unable to overcome the barriers of high range, or would it be something I would need to practice disproportionally (compared to the average trumpet player)? How would this effect my skills on the Euphonium?
In addition, I also want to become more diversified as a Euphonium-family instrumentalist. Would learning the Alto/Tenor Horn and Baritone Horn be useful skills for a Euphonium player in America? If I did learn those instruments, how significant is the change in playing style (Baritone Horn and Alto Horn) and the change in mouthpiece (Alto Horn)? I know Bass Trumpet/Alto Trumpet is used in some orchestral works (Rite of Spring), how significant is the change in mouthpiece for these instruments (and would they be useful to learn)? And final question, if I did become proficient at Alto Horn at some point, would learning to play French Horn be easier than without that background, or are the mouthpieces too different? In any case, I'm happy to be a part of this great community and I can't wait to learn from those in it.
In addition, I also want to become more diversified as a Euphonium-family instrumentalist. Would learning the Alto/Tenor Horn and Baritone Horn be useful skills for a Euphonium player in America? If I did learn those instruments, how significant is the change in playing style (Baritone Horn and Alto Horn) and the change in mouthpiece (Alto Horn)? I know Bass Trumpet/Alto Trumpet is used in some orchestral works (Rite of Spring), how significant is the change in mouthpiece for these instruments (and would they be useful to learn)? And final question, if I did become proficient at Alto Horn at some point, would learning to play French Horn be easier than without that background, or are the mouthpieces too different? In any case, I'm happy to be a part of this great community and I can't wait to learn from those in it.
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