Euphonium

The euphonium is a valved brass instrument, the tenor member of the tuba family. The appearance of a euphonium is very similar to that of a tuba, and many people not familiar with the instrument sometimes incorrectly call it a tuba. Some major differences are that the euphonium is one octave higher than the tuba, and it is a smaller size (almost one third smaller). The euphonium's fundamental pitch is concert B-flat (Bb); music for the instrument is usually written in the bass clef without any transposition (the instrument sounds the note as written). In addition, the same part is often available written in transposed treble clef (written middle C sounds as the B-flat a ninth lower); this permits trumpet players to apply the same fingerings as they would when reading trumpet parts. The name "euphonium" comes from the Greek word "euphonion", meaning "beautiful-sounding" or "sweet-voiced". A person who plays euphonium is sometimes called a euphoniumist. The euphonium is often mistaken for a baritone.

Related Topics:
Brass instrument - Tuba - Bass clef - Greek

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As with the tuba, the euphonium's tubing cross-section ("bore") increases in size from the valve section to the bell - this is called "conical bore", as distinguished from "cylindrical bore" instruments, which maintain a constant tubing diameter for a greater portion of the instrument's total length. Thus, even though the euphonium plays in the same range of pitches as the trombone (with a cylidrical bore), it has a more mellow, "rounder" sound than the "brassier" sound of a trombone. This is similar to the difference between the cornet and the trumpet.

Related Topics:
Trombone - Cornet - Trumpet

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Typically, a euphonium has four valves. When opened ("pressed"), each valve increases the length of the entire instrument by diverting the air stream through additional tubing; this lowers the pitch. Each valve adds a different length of tubing. The result is that the first valve lowers the pitch a whole step (from B-flat to A-flat, for example); the second valve, one half step; the third valve, one and one-half steps (similar to using first and second valves together); and the fourth valve, two and one-half steps (similar to using first and third valves together). The 4th valve tubing is actually slightly longer than that of valves 1 and 3 combined and is preferred when that combination is called for. This provides more accurate intonation. The fourth valve also allows for a player to play lower pitches by adding more tubing than the usual 3-valve instrument's limit.

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Some euphoniums include 'compensating systems.' These correct for inaccuracies in intonation when the fourth valve is used in combination with one or more of the first three valves. (The reason for this inaccuracy is that the instrument is pitched fully a fourth lower with the fourth valve open; now the second valve, for example, is somewhat too short to lower the pitch a further half step.) When the 4th valve of the compensating euphonium is pressed, the airstream is routed back through the valve cluster and additional tubing is added if any of the first three valves are also in use. This both improves the intonation of the instrument in the lower ranges and allows the player to play in those ranges using more conventional fingerings.

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A similar instrument is the American-style euphonium, which is often improperly called a baritone horn. This design sometimes features a curved bell section that points forward, and is sometimes made with the valves on the front of the instrument. It is as conical in design as the euphonium shown here, but usually has a slightly smaller bore (although the bore is much larger than the British-style baritone horn). Other similar instruments include the British baritone horn (which, being a saxhorn, is more cylindrical and trombone-like than the American baritone), and the German baryton and tenorhorn. All trace their descent to the serpent. A unique American creation was the double-bell euphonium, which featured a second, smaller bell and a 5th valve (operated with the left hand) allowing the player to use the smaller bell instead of the main bell. However, the second bell did little other than increase the pitch slightly, and was essentially a novelty. The double-bell euphonium was used in the early part of the 20th century, but subsequently fell out of use. No current manufacturer makes a double-bell euphonium, and they are becoming a rarity.

Related Topics:
Baritone horn - Saxhorn - Serpent

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The euphonium is most commonly found in wind bands of various kinds, such as concert bands, brass bands, marching bands, and military bands, where it is frequently featured as a solo instrument and is hence sometimes called "the king of band instruments". It is predominant in many marches, such as those written by John Philip Sousa. It is also often used today in brass ensembles and choirs. It is not traditionally an orchestral instrument and thus is not found in modern symphony orchestras. It is used only for certain works where the composer specifically requested for euphonium (or "tenor tuba") such as in Gustav Holst's Planets Suite. Occasionally, the euphonium is used in older orchestral works as a replacement of its predecessors, such as the Wagner tuba or the ophicleide.

Related Topics:
Concert band - Brass band - Marching band - Military - Marches - John Philip Sousa - Gustav Holst's - Planets Suite - Wagner tuba - Ophicleide

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