Testing Euphoniums

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello everyone,

There is no fool proof way to test a Euphonium and I have recently become interested in the way that Professional Euphonium Players test their range of Euphoniums.

For example at The Besson Factory, Steven Mead will explore the following points with each instrument.

1. Aesthetics - Plating Finish, Bell Rim, Slides and Inner Bell
2. Mechanics - Build Quality, Moving Parts, Valves and Trigger.
3. Tests - Pitch, Tone, Flexibility, Projection which is tested using current solos.

I have devised my own tests as I prepare to buy a new Euphonium which I wanted to share with you all. I was wondering if I have covered all corners and if there was anything I could add to my list?

Euphonium Brand -

Aesthetics:

Points to Consider:
1. Finish of metal work
2. Metal used for finish of bell (Red Brass or Yellow Brass)
3. Durability of metal
4. Positioning of leadpipe
5. Positioning of stays
6. Positioning of third valve slide
7. How big is the instrument
8. Strength of slide legs (are the slides reinforced at the point of slide entry?)
9. Plastic Belly Plate included on instrument?
10. What metal is the inner valve block and valve made of?

General Points to Consider:
1. Are heavy bottom and top caps designed for this instrument.
2. Is the valve stem screwed into position?
3. Tuning?
4. Will this give me the sound I want? (consider use as a soloist and within a championship section band?)

Mechanics:

Points to Consider:
1. Operation of Valves
2. Operation of Trigger
3. Operation of 4th Valve Cover
4. System for removing Trigger
5. Movement of slides (are slides hard to remove or put back into instrument?)
6. Removal of valves (how easy are caps to remove off valve top and bottoms and what is the movement of the valve like?

Sound:

Points to Consider:
1. Do I like the sound?
2. How does that sound compare to my baseline test sound (Besson Prestige)
3. Opinion of any person present


Points to Test:
1. Slow Melody
2. A piece featuring technique (can this instrument project?)
3. Scales
4. Pedal Range
5. High Range (a point to consider that a note must be taken of physical state to allow for fair test).
6. Mouthpiece test (Steven Mead Mouthpiece), can this instrument adapt to mouthpiece changes?.

General Opinion of Instrument:

If unsure about the instrument, what would you change about the instrument?

Would you swap your Besson Prestige Euphonium for this instrument?

Thank you for all your help and input.

Many Thanks,

Micah Dominic Parsons

[John Morgan]

After a quick look, a few things.

1. Metal used for bell - you might add Sterling Silver as this is a possibility, especially from Adams
2. Plastic belly plate included - many euphoniums do not have this in spite of having a trigger (option or standard), other means (in my opinion more attractive) are used to protect the "belly"
3. Operation of 4th valve cover - Adams, for one, does not put a 4th valve cover on their euphoniums (I think you can special order one, not sure)
4. Removal of valve cap tops and bottoms - check for risk of cross-threading which seems to be somewhat prevalent on Chinese manufactured euphoniums
5. "High Range (a point to consider that a note must be taken of physical state to allow for fair test)" - don't exactly know what you mean here

Might add ergonomics - how easy is this instrument to hold standing/sitting and how easy to play based on how you hold it and what it weighs

And of course, the famous drop test - what happens to the instrument when dropped onto a concrete floor from a height of 10 feet? does it dent? is it playable? do you feel like your life has just ended? (this step might be omitted)

[davewerden]

I have put some thoughts down in the past. See this for starters:

http://www.dwerden.com/eu-articles-choosing.cfm

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much! This is really useful for me. I hope in a few months time to use this form to test a range of euphoniums which is quite an exciting opportunity in itself.

Many Thanks,

Micah Dominic Parsons