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Thread: Euphonium Fingering for High G

  1. #1

    Euphonium Fingering for High G

    This is probably a very stupid question, I've only recently took a serious look at the physics of the tubes in the Euphonium, and am now consciously aware of how the 1st valve adds 1 note, while the 2nd valve adds a semitone. With that awareness, I am now confused as to the fingering for the G in the octave above the bass clef. I've always used valve 2 for A and G in that range, but.... how and why is that possible?

    Then Googling around, I've seen the fingering being valve 1 and 2, which made sense. But I've also seen valve 3 being recommended to play that G. So here I am, here asking a stupid question after playing the eupho for so long and not being aware of the physics or even the logic behind producing a high G with all the different fingering.

    I am using a 3 valve student model Yamaha with a small shank, if that's relevant.

  2. #2
    seventh partial is a flat a-flat. A semitone down from that is a flat G. If your particular instrument's seventh partial is relatively high or if your second valve is relatively short, you could have a usable G with second valve. Usually, this would be played on the eighth partial with 1+2.
    --
    Barry

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by ChristianeSparkle View Post
    …. Then Googling around, I've seen the fingering being valve 1 and 2, which made sense. But I've also seen valve 3 being recommended to play that G. So here I am, here asking a stupid question after playing the eupho for so long and not being aware of the physics or even the logic behind producing a high G with all the different fingering....
    Christiane,

    The G above the staff is usually played 1&2 or 3. The G in the staff is usually sharp with 1&2, so some folks will play this note with the 3rd valve only. Especially if the G is held for any length at all. If it is a fast passage with the G in the middle, probably makes little difference if you use 1&2 or 3, use whatever lies better for your fingers.

    What might be useful is to get a good tuner and try playing all of these various notes with the various fingerings. When trying to see the tuning of a G, especially the higher one, play a scale up to that note, then hold it and check the tuning. Try 1&2 and 3. 2 would be the fingering for the A above G, I don't know that I would try to do the G with the 2nd valve only. Check your slides also. Check them using the traditional fingering(s).

    Dave has a good article on adjusting your slides (I think) somewhere on the site.

    If you were playing the upper G and A both with the 2nd valve, it would be much more difficult to play a scale with those two adjacent notes. Instead of using different fingerings to go from G to A or A to G, you would have to "slur" these two notes in a rapid scale passage. I think you need to "unlearn" G with 2 valve.
    John Morgan
    The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) 1971-1976
    Adams E3 Custom Series Euphonium, 1956 B&H Imperial Euphonium,
    1973 F. E. Olds & Son Studio Model T-31 Baritone
    Adams TB1 Tenor Trombone, Yamaha YBL-822G Bass Trombone
    Year Round Except Summer:
    Kingdom of the Sun (KOS) Concert Band, Ocala, FL (Euphonium)
    KOS Brass Quintet (Trombone, Euphonium)
    Summer Only:
    Rapid City Municipal Band, Rapid City, SD (Euphonium)
    Rapid City New Horizons Band (Euphonium)

  4. #4
    Thank you both for your explanations!

    Yes, unfortunately, I've been playing G with 2nd valve for the longest time that it's ingrained in me. I did notice earlier today that using the 2nd valve takes some load off of the embouchure compared to using 1&2. But I haven't properly tried 3rd valve yet. Shall give it a try tomorrow and report back!

    Also, will look for Dave's slide guide!

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Here’s a link to Dave Werden’s article on how to set your slides for proper tuning. Hopefully this is the one they were suggesting.

    How to tune - (adjusting slides)
    Rick Floyd
    Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ / RF mpc
    YEP-641S (recently sold)
    Doug Elliott - 102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank


    "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
    Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches
    El Cumbanchero (Raphael Hernandez, arr. Naohiro Iwai)
    Chorale and Shaker Dance
    (John Zdechlik)

  6. #6
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    Summerfield, Florida Sturgis, SD (summers)
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    Rick, that is the one I was thinking of (adjusting your slides). Thanks for finding it.
    John Morgan
    The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) 1971-1976
    Adams E3 Custom Series Euphonium, 1956 B&H Imperial Euphonium,
    1973 F. E. Olds & Son Studio Model T-31 Baritone
    Adams TB1 Tenor Trombone, Yamaha YBL-822G Bass Trombone
    Year Round Except Summer:
    Kingdom of the Sun (KOS) Concert Band, Ocala, FL (Euphonium)
    KOS Brass Quintet (Trombone, Euphonium)
    Summer Only:
    Rapid City Municipal Band, Rapid City, SD (Euphonium)
    Rapid City New Horizons Band (Euphonium)

  7. #7
    So I've tried the tuning guide and using 1 & 2 or 3 for the G.

    1& 2 for upper G seems to be rather sharp for me, while 3 (and 2 surprisingly, then again, I've been using it all my life) gives me more accurate tuning.

    Stupid question about turning the 2nd valve slide. Because of how short the valve is, should I really be sliding the slide out a little? My A is rather sharp and I have no idea how else to adjust it without adjusting the main tuning slide.

    Also, stupid question, concert A = the A on the bass clef staff, is that correct?

    Thank you!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    West Palm Beach, FL
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    I’m not positive but I don’t think anyone pulls out their 2nd slide. As you say it’s pretty short. I use heavier grease on that slide just to keep it from blowing out. I would just lip down your high A.

    Yes, Concert A is A on the bass clef staff.
    Rick Floyd
    Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ / RF mpc
    YEP-641S (recently sold)
    Doug Elliott - 102 rim; I-cup; I-9 shank


    "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
    Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches
    El Cumbanchero (Raphael Hernandez, arr. Naohiro Iwai)
    Chorale and Shaker Dance
    (John Zdechlik)

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