Hey everyone,
Brand new member here. A bit of background: Back in high school (1999-2003) I played a lot. We had Yamaha 621's, and by my senior year I was a relatively advanced player. I was All-District, All-State, Governor's School, and doing a college-level wind ensemble in Charlotte while also doing my high school's wind ensemble, and I was principal in all but one or two groups. My crowning achievement was pulling off Karl King's "Melody Shop" as the soloist in my senior year spring concert series. (I don't say all of these things to brag, but to provide some context around what level I *used* to play at.)
When I went to college, I had a Besson 967, but I hardly ever played it because I went to a small liberal arts school where there just weren't many playing opportunities for the euphonium. My voice became my primary instrument as I sang with the choral groups and got a scholarship, and occasionally I backed up the symphony orchestra or the jazz ensemble on trombone, but gradually I lost my brass chops. I was on my way to a degree in political science, Marine Corps officer candidates school, law school, all that good stuff, so I just couldn't fathom when I would ever get to play again. Then the kicker: I lost my job in banking during the Great Recession and needed to make ends meet until I reported to OCS, so I did the unthinkable and sold my Besson to a local university, to a professor there who I had done some master classes with.
Fast-forward 12 years later and I'm all settled down and feeling the itch again. I miss playing euphonium! I called up the university, but they surplussed my Besson only TWO YEARS AGO, so it's officially gone and I'll probably never find it again. So now I'm in the market for a horn, and trying to figure out what to do.
I picked up a couple euphoniums at the Tuba Exchange in Durham, NC, and I am just terrible now. I still remember all my fingerings, but my articulation seems like it's always a quarter-second behind where I want it to be, and my embouchure is totally gone -- it feels foreign, even uncomfortable, to have a mouthpiece pressed to my lips. So it's like I'm starting over fresh. I'm wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and can provide exercises or advice, because I'll be doing this on my own: no teachers or professors to give me pointers.
Also, I need a horn. I'm not looking to play in any ensembles (maybe a quintet if I can find willing folks around here), so I feel like trying to go back to a Besson or even a Yamaha would be overkill... not to mention the fact that Bessons now retail for $8,000 (!!!) and Yamahas for $6,000. I've searched for used horns as well, but it still seems like more than I want to pay. I just caught wind of Wessex on this forum... That brand didn't even exist when I was playing, so I had never heard of them until today, but the price point seems amazing for a compensating euph. Otherwise I would be looking at a Jupiter, or maybe I could sweet-talk my wife into a Yamaha. I don't think it's smart for me to spring for a Besson. So, I'm also wondering if anyone thinks a player with my background should spring for a more expensive euph, or if I should look at the Wessex Dolce or another comparable "entry-level" brand.
That was a lot of words, so thanks for reading all the way to the end (those of you who made it). I know my situation can't be unique, so I'd love to hear some feedback. Thanks!
Pete
Brand new member here. A bit of background: Back in high school (1999-2003) I played a lot. We had Yamaha 621's, and by my senior year I was a relatively advanced player. I was All-District, All-State, Governor's School, and doing a college-level wind ensemble in Charlotte while also doing my high school's wind ensemble, and I was principal in all but one or two groups. My crowning achievement was pulling off Karl King's "Melody Shop" as the soloist in my senior year spring concert series. (I don't say all of these things to brag, but to provide some context around what level I *used* to play at.)
When I went to college, I had a Besson 967, but I hardly ever played it because I went to a small liberal arts school where there just weren't many playing opportunities for the euphonium. My voice became my primary instrument as I sang with the choral groups and got a scholarship, and occasionally I backed up the symphony orchestra or the jazz ensemble on trombone, but gradually I lost my brass chops. I was on my way to a degree in political science, Marine Corps officer candidates school, law school, all that good stuff, so I just couldn't fathom when I would ever get to play again. Then the kicker: I lost my job in banking during the Great Recession and needed to make ends meet until I reported to OCS, so I did the unthinkable and sold my Besson to a local university, to a professor there who I had done some master classes with.
Fast-forward 12 years later and I'm all settled down and feeling the itch again. I miss playing euphonium! I called up the university, but they surplussed my Besson only TWO YEARS AGO, so it's officially gone and I'll probably never find it again. So now I'm in the market for a horn, and trying to figure out what to do.
I picked up a couple euphoniums at the Tuba Exchange in Durham, NC, and I am just terrible now. I still remember all my fingerings, but my articulation seems like it's always a quarter-second behind where I want it to be, and my embouchure is totally gone -- it feels foreign, even uncomfortable, to have a mouthpiece pressed to my lips. So it's like I'm starting over fresh. I'm wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and can provide exercises or advice, because I'll be doing this on my own: no teachers or professors to give me pointers.
Also, I need a horn. I'm not looking to play in any ensembles (maybe a quintet if I can find willing folks around here), so I feel like trying to go back to a Besson or even a Yamaha would be overkill... not to mention the fact that Bessons now retail for $8,000 (!!!) and Yamahas for $6,000. I've searched for used horns as well, but it still seems like more than I want to pay. I just caught wind of Wessex on this forum... That brand didn't even exist when I was playing, so I had never heard of them until today, but the price point seems amazing for a compensating euph. Otherwise I would be looking at a Jupiter, or maybe I could sweet-talk my wife into a Yamaha. I don't think it's smart for me to spring for a Besson. So, I'm also wondering if anyone thinks a player with my background should spring for a more expensive euph, or if I should look at the Wessex Dolce or another comparable "entry-level" brand.
That was a lot of words, so thanks for reading all the way to the end (those of you who made it). I know my situation can't be unique, so I'd love to hear some feedback. Thanks!
Pete
Comment