TubaEuph News

Music Event for 05/17

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:02 -0400

May 17: The Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell premieres off-Broadway (1971)

Recommended Gift for 05/17

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:02 -0400

Today's Recommended Gift Item is: Euphonium Jazz CD: Betty O'Hara - Horns A Plenty - Betty sings and plays various brass instruments, including double-bell euphonium

Blog Reply: Euphoniumists of the Past, reprinted from Euphonia

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:31:13 -0400

(4/24/2012) - Noble Howard was my teacher in 1954. I think he played 3rd violin, not trombone in the Indianapolis Symphony.

Blog Reply: Anagrams of Euphonium Player Names

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:28:21 -0400

(3/22/2012) - I love word games and this is a great game to play.

Blog Reply: Methodology for Evaluating Intonation

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:26:56 -0400

(3/15/2012) - Carl,

I use a 4AL for my testing. And the Adams is made in The Netherlands.

Blog Reply: Methodology for Evaluating Intonation

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:53:41 -0400

(3/13/2012) - David,

I concur with your findings regarding the general tuning characteristics of my Besson Sovereign 967 euphonium (modified by Besson in preparation for the then-anticipated Prestige series, after which I acquired it... looks a little rough, but plays REALLY well). My older 1956 Imperial (purchased after 4 days of testing in London) displays a similar tuning chart, but with somewhat more brilliant sound... a lovely solo horn, used during most of my "industrial-strength" playing days.

Realizing that mouthpiece choices can in some cases be an important factor in influencing the instrument, I'd like to know what mouthpiece you normally use. In my case, I normally use the Warburton 4GDL.

My history includes a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, primarily as principal euphonium with the U.S. Naval Academy Band, and then another 20 years as Region Manager and Besson Artist/Clinician with Boosey & Hawkes, followed by several years as low brass instructor for the University of Southern Colorado. I'm now in San Antonio, Texas, and will likely remain here, teaching, and playing with the Heart of Texas Concert Band, and others.

I've also researched the Adams euphonium... where is this made?

Carl

Blog Post: The Adams Adjustable-Gap Receiver

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Fri, 9 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0400

(3/9/2012) - I suspect most euphonium players have never worried about the gap between the end of the mouthpiece shank and the beginning of the instrument's leadpipe. To understand the terminology, the receiver is the two or three inches of tubing attached to the end of the leadpipe. The mouthpiece inserts into the receiver. The gap is hidden underneath the receiver. The drawing below shows this:

Different manufactures may use different sizes and degree of taper for either the euphonium receiver or the mouthpiece shank. This means that in some setups the gap may be narrower or wider. As a practical matter, it is necessary to design so that there will be a gap. Otherwise a particular mouthpiece might hit the leadpipe before it is tight within the receiver. That could cause the mouthpiece to fall out of the receiver or to "rock" inside the receiver.

On the Adams Custom euphonium, which I play, there is an innovative "adjustable-gap" receiver. The concept is simple. The receiver is threaded on to the leadpipe instead of being soldered. Turning the receiver one way or the other will adjust the gap. The photo here shows the receiver adjusted all the way in and then a considerable distance out. There is a collar around the receiver that can be loosened for adjustment and tightened when the optimum setting is found. It seems logical to assume that the narrowest possible gap is ideal, but in practice that is not the case. The amount of gap affects response, tone, and intonation.

One might still think it is not worth worrying about because we usually pick out our horns playing the mouthpiece we prefer. So if that combination feels right, why worry about the gap? For one thing, if we can adjust the gap further we may find a position we like better. And for another thing, if we buy a new mouthpiece it may fit differently and increase or decrease the gap. If you test a mouthpiece that has a significantly different gap in your horn, you may reject the mouthpiece because of the gap, as opposed to the qualities of the mouthpiece itself. Below is a chart showing six mouthpieces I tested in my Adams euphonium. It is presented in inches (top) and millimeters (bottom). The Overall Length is the distance from end to end of the mouthpiece. The Shank Insertion is the amount of the shank that fits inside the receiver. The Overhang is the amount of the mouthpiece that extends outside the receiver. Then in Italics beneath each set of numbers is the difference between the largest and smallest measurement in each column.As you can see from this chart, the insertion (which controls the gap) varies more than 1/3 of an inch (about 7.5mm) between my own Denis Wick 4AL to a Schilke 52E2. But even between two mouthpiece that one would think would be similar, the Wick 4AL and the Wick Ultra SM4U, the difference in insertion (gap) is about 1/4 inch (more than 6mm).This series of measurements was educational for me for two reasons. First, from a general interest perspective, I didn't know the gap varied so much. And second, I have heard and experienced for myself the difference it makes on my Adams euphonium when I modify the gap adjustment; it then stands to reason that to fully test/compare the SM4U against my 4AL, for example, I should at do some of my testing with both set to the same gap.

As a practical example, at ITEC 2010 I was visiting all the displays and trying every euphonium. On my rounds of the second display building, I was playing the Adams Custom from the display, trying unsuccessfully to play Claude Smith's Rondo for Trumpet. The piece has some powerful jumps over an octave up to high Bb and B-natural concert. I could not make the jumps with accuracy. I mentioned to Miel Adams that I was having trouble finding the horn's center. He took it from me and noticed that the receiver was turned in pretty far (toward a narrow gap), so he loosened the lock and turned it a while to open the gap. Then he gave it back to me. As you ...

Blog Reply: Evaluating the Adams Custom Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:36:56 -0400

(2/25/2012) - George,

Regarding your comments:

- Yes, I noticed the middle E-flat. I just now added a link in the body of the blog post that takes you to an intonation comparison. You can see there that the Adams is somewhat lower on E/Eb than some of the others. Your previous Hirsbrunner is actually high on those, so the contrast must feel dramatic. The Sovereign (pre-German) is flat there, so many players would not find the lower pitch too troublesome. For those notes on the Adams, you need to support them well and lip the pitch up. It's not difficult when you get used to it. In general, the action of lipping a note up is easier to control then lipping a note down, and it's easier to do in the middle than in the upper ranges. In any case, no horn has perfect intonation, but in overall balance, AND considering what notes tend to be most troublesome in actual musical passages, the Adams has the best balance.
- Adams uses a large shank mouthpiece (bass-trombone size). I am using a Wick 4AL
- I'm still learning about the various models, but I believe the E2 has heavier metal throughout.
- I LOVE the variety of finishes. But I need to see them in real life, vs. photos, to really make up my mind which I like the best.

Blog Reply: Evaluating the Adams Custom Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:05:22 -0400

(2/25/2012) - And, I see that it comes in four different finishes. Do you have any comments on that?

Blog Reply: Evaluating the Adams Custom Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:03:45 -0400

(2/25/2012) - Do you have the E1, or the E2 (slightly bigger bell)? Are there any other differences between these?

Blog Reply: Evaluating the Adams Custom Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:50:37 -0400

(2/25/2012) - Nice review, Dave.

What mouthpiece do you use with this instrument? Does it takes a large shank mouthpiece?

Blog Reply: Evaluating the Adams Custom Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:31:49 -0400

(2/24/2012) - Hi Dave, Thanks for your usual thorough post. I have played a Hirsbrunner euph for the past 10 years and recently bought an Adams euphonium. I find truth in your comments. I am especially impressed with the responsiveness and the ease with which this horn produces its characteristic tone. Notes seem to speak so clearly all over the range. I am able to play softer and even then the horn seems so smooth and responsive. And the tone!!! Heavenly. One thing that I noticed, however, and another player that I know has the same observation, is that the e and eb in the staff are both quite flat. I have experimented with the adjustable receiver in the hopes that I would find a sweeter spot for those notes to no avail.

Thanks!

Mike

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Sounds of St. Louis

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:42:00 -0400

(1/14/2012) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Harbach, Barbara, for E/T ens.-4 part

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Sixty Counterparts

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:53:00 -0400

(11/27/2011) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Ervin, Tom, for E/T ens.-2 part

New Recommended Item Listed: : Tuba CD: Jay Hunsberger

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 08:35:45 -0400

(4/17/2011) - New Listing: Oompah Suite: Sweets for Horn & Tuba. Two of the finest young orchestral brass talents present a program of musical treats crafted for horn and tuba.

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Hot Cocoa

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 5 Feb 2011 07:19:00 -0400

(2/5/2011) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Friedrich, Kenneth D., for Euph and piano

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Ten Euphonium Duets for Teens

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 5 Feb 2011 07:19:00 -0400

(2/5/2011) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Friedrich, Kenneth D., for E/T ens.-2 part

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : 30 MELLOW-dious Studies, multi-styled, multi-level

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Sat, 5 Feb 2011 07:18:00 -0400

(2/5/2011) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Friedrich, Kenneth D., for Euph alone

New Link: Rick Santorum's America's Foundation

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Wed, 8 Sep 2010 04:54:29 -0400

(9/8/2010) - A site that seeks to remind us of United States founding documents, such as the U.S. Constitution, which all who serve in the government swear to support and defend.

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Gemini

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 07:30:00 -0400

(9/2/2010) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by DiLorenzo, Anthony, for Euph and Orchestra

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Gemini

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 07:29:00 -0400

(9/2/2010) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by DiLorenzo, Anthony, for Euph and piano

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Variations for Euphonium

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 8 Jun 2010 05:15:00 -0400

(6/8/2010) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Angiulo, for Euph and piano

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Random Passages

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 8 Jun 2010 05:13:00 -0400

(6/8/2010) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Cummings, Barton, for Euph and piano

Euphonium Sheet Music listed: : Balade

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 8 Jun 2010 05:09:00 -0400

(6/8/2010) - New sheet music listing added to the Euphonium Music Guide, written by Zdechlik, John, for Euph and Band

New Recommended Item Listed: : Euphonium CD: Gail Robertson

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 2 Feb 2010 09:06:33 -0400

(2/2/2010) - New Listing: SymbiosisDUO - Featuring a Euphonium and Tuba Duo. Great mix of music with Gail Robertson (euphonium) and Stacy Baker (tuba) along with piano and some mixed ensembles. Highly recommended!

New Recommended Item Listed: : Tuba CD: Stacy Baker

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Tue, 2 Feb 2010 09:06:06 -0400

Euphonium Recording listed: : Can I Play too?

info@dwerden.com (Dave Werden) — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:51:00 -0400

(11/6/2009) - New recording added to the Euphonium Music Guide, performed by Bandman, David, with The Cyber Big Band