I have brought this up before on the forum. I have a Prestige 2052 Euphonium and I seem not to be able to keep myself from playing very sharp on D to F above the staff and F and possible G on the staff. I know the Prestige is sharp on these notes and to play these in tune, I have to extend the tuning trigger out all the way. Sometimes I find that I can play those same notes in tune only to have to go out of tune as I play longer. When I look at the intonation chart that Dave Weldon referred me to, I see that the Adam E3 tends to be more in tune and maybe flat on certain notes (if I am reading it right). Since I tend to play sharp, I wondered if I would do better with an Adam E3 or am I just fooling myself and looking for gimmicks to solve my intonation problem. There are no stores in Orlando that would have an Adam E3 in stock so I cannot even try one out.
I was looking for opinions on what approach I might take to cure my intonation problem. Is it worth looking at an Adam E3 or is thinking a different horn might help me just looking for excuses? The last couple of days, I am trying to use the trigger only on the sharp notes but trying to do time it right for fast packages is difficult for me at best. Maybe I bought the wrong horn for someone trying to come back from a long hiatus. I could just use the Conn Constellation 24i I have because I seem to play that horn pretty much in tune.
I have to admit I am getting quite frustrated! I had asked my band director if I was sharp and he said he did not notice a big issue (I brought it up because I thought I was), but during the last concert, while we were running through some tunes, he said that the Euphoniums were sharp on D above the staff and I am sure that was me.
Any advice of either trying a different horn or just work on my technique using the trigger (and possible alternate fingering)? I am not about to QUIT. My technique is getting much better, but not my intonation!!!