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Thread: Pardon my ignorance (care/best practices question--placing horn bell down)

  1. Pardon my ignorance (care/best practices question--placing horn bell down)

    Hello ETF Crüe,

    I've spotted a comment or two about not/NEVER putting your horn down on its bell.

    Pardon my ignorance, but what's the issue there (assuming it's an adequately carpeted floor, a safe environment/situation for the horn and such)?

    I'm a trombone player who digs playing the euphonium but hasn't been much schooled about it yet--best practices and such euphonium nuance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    You’ll get valve oil soaking into your felts for one.

    Also, even though it will probably be fine, structurally…the horns aren’t designed to bear that weight on their bells.

    That being said…folks do it ALL THE TIME.
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    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Hi and welcome to the forum.

    There are two reasons I can quickly think of on why we shouldn’t set our horns down on their bell. The first one is it can be knocked over accidentally and damage the horn. The second is there’s usually a bit of dirty oil in the bottom of our valve casings that can seep back into our valves and maybe foul their operation.
    Rick Floyd
    Miraphone 5050 - Warburton BJ / RF mpc
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    "Always play with a good tone, never louder than lovely, never softer than supported." - author unknown.
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  4. #4
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    I have used and recommned a K&M Euphonium (baritone) stand since I bought my Miraphone 5050 over 10 years ago. Honestly, it has been problematic, with other inconsiderate musicians still bumping into my horn a couple of times, along with the issue of it almost coming out of the stand. Just last week we played a concert where I could not use it and had to put it down on its bell. But like Baron mentioned "know your environment".
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  5. #5
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Groups
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    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    I would never, under any circumstances, place a euphonium on its bell. Regardless if the surface is a rug or a padded something or other. Regardless of whether or not others do it. That certainly does not make it a good idea.

    You can scratch the bell, junk gets into areas of your horn that shouldn't by being upside down, your horn is prone to falling or being knocked over, your bell is much more likely to get injured. Just a terrible idea in my opinion.

    And yes, I have seen Steven Mead put his horn down on the bell. Not good, and not a good example in my opinion.

    Get a stand. The K&M is the very best in my opinion. Others may be good, but in my opinion, are more likely to have falling accidents. The K&M rests close to the ground and is a very substantial stand. I highly recommend it.

    Again, please don't ever put your euphonium down on its bell. If you have no stand, either hold your horn, or put it in its case if you are leaving it alone for a while (short or long).
    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
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  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by John Morgan View Post
    ...your horn is prone to falling or being knocked over, your bell is much more likely to get injured. Just a terrible idea in my opinion.
    AND, it is relatively easy for a passerby to step on the edge of the bell (speaking from experience in the CG Band). It has to do with peripheral vision, I think.
    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Morgan View Post
    The K&M is the very best in my opinion. Others may be good, but in my opinion, are more likely to have falling accidents. The K&M rests close to the ground and is a very substantial stand. I highly recommend it.
    Agree on not leaving your horn sitting on its bell. Disagree on the “best” stand. (I’ve got Dave on my side.) LOL

    But in all seriousness, it’s not the best practice…even though everyone seems to do it…ESPECIALLY the vendors AND their amazing brand artists.
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    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  9. #9
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    Anyone who wasn’t taught this in 1955 just doesn’t get it.

  10. #10
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Groups
    Valley City Community Band
    Valley City State University Concert Band
    2024 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band (you're never too old!)


    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

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