Intonation
| just_intonation_-_chords.pdf |
Scales
| scale_patterns_for_the_euphonium_-_euphonium.pdf |
Equipment
Mouthpieces
On occasion I'm asked for advice regarding mouthpieces ranging from what is a good mouthpiece for a beginner to what is appropriate for a college-level player. These questions are actually a complicated topic because of the many factors involved, which include facial structure, level of the player, type of instrument, the size of the receiver and the kind of music to be performed, to name a few. Therefore, I think it may be best to speak in generic terms, at least in this venue.
For Beginner Players
.985 in to 1.00 in
25.02 mm to 25.4 mm
medium to medium shallow cup
Trombone: Bach 7C, Denis Wick 9B or Schilke 50
Euphonium: Bach 6-1/2 A, Denis Wick 6B or Schilke 50
I tend not to recommend specialty mouthpieces for beginning players. These mouthpieces are generally more expensive and are designed for a specific type of playing. Also, these mouthpieces often are made with advanced players in mind. A beginner may have trouble with a specialty mouthpiece and become unnecessarily frustrated.
For Intermediate Players
Many intermediate players continue to play a mouthpiece similar in size to the ones mentioned under beginner. Some players feel they need to upgrade their equipment to meet their needs. I've listed some options:
1.00 in to 1.01 in
25.65 mm to 25.5 mm
medium deep to deep cup
Trombone: Bach 6-1/2 AL to 5G, Wick 6AL to 5AL, Schilke 51
Euphonium: Bach 5G to 4G, Wick 5AL to 4AL, Schilke 51, Schilke 51D
For Advanced Players
By the time a musician becomes an advanced player, he or she usually has a well-developed concept of sound and has settled on one or two mouthpieces to address their needs. I've included some suggestions of mouthpiece companies that offer a wide selection of sizes.
Any variety of rim diameter and/cup depth
Trombone: Greg Black, Ferguson, Hammond, Schilke, Wick, Romero-Long Island Brass, Romera, Griego, and Ferguson mouthpieces, usually within the 6-1/2 to 3G size range for classical playing and smaller for jazz and alto trombone.
Euphonium: Bach, Denis Wick, Griego, Alliance, Giddings, Schilke, Yamaha, Warburton, Romera, Doug Elliott (LT, XT, SYM or Euph series), Greg Black, Ferguson, Brass Lab. Momo.
On occasion I'm asked for advice regarding mouthpieces ranging from what is a good mouthpiece for a beginner to what is appropriate for a college-level player. These questions are actually a complicated topic because of the many factors involved, which include facial structure, level of the player, type of instrument, the size of the receiver and the kind of music to be performed, to name a few. Therefore, I think it may be best to speak in generic terms, at least in this venue.
For Beginner Players
.985 in to 1.00 in
25.02 mm to 25.4 mm
medium to medium shallow cup
Trombone: Bach 7C, Denis Wick 9B or Schilke 50
Euphonium: Bach 6-1/2 A, Denis Wick 6B or Schilke 50
I tend not to recommend specialty mouthpieces for beginning players. These mouthpieces are generally more expensive and are designed for a specific type of playing. Also, these mouthpieces often are made with advanced players in mind. A beginner may have trouble with a specialty mouthpiece and become unnecessarily frustrated.
For Intermediate Players
Many intermediate players continue to play a mouthpiece similar in size to the ones mentioned under beginner. Some players feel they need to upgrade their equipment to meet their needs. I've listed some options:
1.00 in to 1.01 in
25.65 mm to 25.5 mm
medium deep to deep cup
Trombone: Bach 6-1/2 AL to 5G, Wick 6AL to 5AL, Schilke 51
Euphonium: Bach 5G to 4G, Wick 5AL to 4AL, Schilke 51, Schilke 51D
For Advanced Players
By the time a musician becomes an advanced player, he or she usually has a well-developed concept of sound and has settled on one or two mouthpieces to address their needs. I've included some suggestions of mouthpiece companies that offer a wide selection of sizes.
Any variety of rim diameter and/cup depth
Trombone: Greg Black, Ferguson, Hammond, Schilke, Wick, Romero-Long Island Brass, Romera, Griego, and Ferguson mouthpieces, usually within the 6-1/2 to 3G size range for classical playing and smaller for jazz and alto trombone.
Euphonium: Bach, Denis Wick, Griego, Alliance, Giddings, Schilke, Yamaha, Warburton, Romera, Doug Elliott (LT, XT, SYM or Euph series), Greg Black, Ferguson, Brass Lab. Momo.
Instruments
Euphoniums
For Beginner Players
King 625 or 627 (3 valves, bell front or upright bell)
King 2266 or 2268 (4 valves, bell front or upright bell)
Yamaha YEP-211 (3 valves, bell front)
Yamaha YEP-201 (3 valves, upright bell)
For Intermediate Players
Non-compensating
King 2266 or 2268 (4 valves, bell front or upright bell)
King 2280 (4 valves, upright bell, bass trombone receiver)
Yamaha YEP-321 (4 valves, upright bell)
Besson BE1065 (3+1 valve configuration, non-compensating, upright bell, bass trombone receiver)
Compensating - These are very nice horns for professionals too
Yamaha YEP-642
Besson BE968
Besson BE967
For Advanced Players
For the most part, advanced college and professional players know the type of euphonium that works for them. Usually, a professional level euphonium is a 4 valve compensating instrument. The companies that produce professional level instruments are as follows:
Adams
Besson
Hirsbrunner*
Jupiter XO series
Miraphone
Stirling
Willson
Yamaha
There are some exceptions, of course. There are many euphonium players who sound great on non-compensating instruments or instruments with different valve configurations.
Non-compensating
King 2280
Yamaha 321**
Rotary valved horns
Alexander - various models
Miraphone - various models
Compensating
Willson 2727 (3 valve compensating)
Willson 2750 (3 valve compensating)
Willson 2750 (4 valve compensating, front facing valves)
Canadian Brass CB30 (4 valve compensating, front facing valves)
In the United States the name euphonium and baritone/baritone horn have been used interchangeably. This confusion in nomenclature has been greatly reduced in the past 20-30 years due to a handful of successful players who have been advocates for the euphonium. An actual baritone is quite different than the euphonium. Where the euphonium is a descendant of the bugle family, the baritone is derivative of the baritone saxhorn. As a result, the baritone is less conical and smaller bore/bell size. The sound is mellow, but lighter than the euphonium. For many players in the US, a real baritone is a specialty instrument primarily used in a British-style brass band. Because the baritone is a salient instrument of the British-style brass band, it is often called an English baritone in the United States. They are made with either 3 or 4 valves. The following companies make fine baritones:
Baritones
Besson
Sterling
Yamaha
Euphoniums
For Beginner Players
King 625 or 627 (3 valves, bell front or upright bell)
King 2266 or 2268 (4 valves, bell front or upright bell)
Yamaha YEP-211 (3 valves, bell front)
Yamaha YEP-201 (3 valves, upright bell)
For Intermediate Players
Non-compensating
King 2266 or 2268 (4 valves, bell front or upright bell)
King 2280 (4 valves, upright bell, bass trombone receiver)
Yamaha YEP-321 (4 valves, upright bell)
Besson BE1065 (3+1 valve configuration, non-compensating, upright bell, bass trombone receiver)
Compensating - These are very nice horns for professionals too
Yamaha YEP-642
Besson BE968
Besson BE967
For Advanced Players
For the most part, advanced college and professional players know the type of euphonium that works for them. Usually, a professional level euphonium is a 4 valve compensating instrument. The companies that produce professional level instruments are as follows:
Adams
Besson
Hirsbrunner*
Jupiter XO series
Miraphone
Stirling
Willson
Yamaha
There are some exceptions, of course. There are many euphonium players who sound great on non-compensating instruments or instruments with different valve configurations.
Non-compensating
King 2280
Yamaha 321**
Rotary valved horns
Alexander - various models
Miraphone - various models
Compensating
Willson 2727 (3 valve compensating)
Willson 2750 (3 valve compensating)
Willson 2750 (4 valve compensating, front facing valves)
Canadian Brass CB30 (4 valve compensating, front facing valves)
In the United States the name euphonium and baritone/baritone horn have been used interchangeably. This confusion in nomenclature has been greatly reduced in the past 20-30 years due to a handful of successful players who have been advocates for the euphonium. An actual baritone is quite different than the euphonium. Where the euphonium is a descendant of the bugle family, the baritone is derivative of the baritone saxhorn. As a result, the baritone is less conical and smaller bore/bell size. The sound is mellow, but lighter than the euphonium. For many players in the US, a real baritone is a specialty instrument primarily used in a British-style brass band. Because the baritone is a salient instrument of the British-style brass band, it is often called an English baritone in the United States. They are made with either 3 or 4 valves. The following companies make fine baritones:
Baritones
Besson
Sterling
Yamaha
