You should cover the southern style of euphonium playing. Look up schools like Talladega college, Southern university, and Jackson state university (even though they use baritones) we deserve love too 😭
At the beginning of this video you almost got me right. I'm actually a bass clarinet player who switched over from clarinet because there wasn't enough bass in our band. But at least I can say I'm in orchestras because of clarinet.
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve had to call it a “baby/mini/half-sized tuba,” I would be able to afford a compensating horn. Until then, I’m stuck with the small bore three valve horn I’ve been playing since the sixth grade.
Technically, it's a tenor tuba. Has the same bore taper and everything. I like to think of it as a wind cello. It should be able to play all the cello suites.
I'm in the same boat as you, I wanted to play the flute but I tried out a bunch of instruments and I got scored on each they said Euphonium was my best score so I went with that. I do not regret it, I love my euphonium. Though I play trombone and try to learn the bassoon, Euphonium will always be my number 1.
@@RandoGuy euphonium is a good basis for learning alot of different instruments. Like for me I started learning trumpet in highschool and it's basically the same as the euph so it was easy to learn. Cello was easy for me to learn because I already had know base clef. Piano is also a good instruemnt for any euph player to know because euph players play in both bass and treble. Let's just say euph is awesome
Good lord be careful what you wish for. 🤣 I’m in college now and prayed for better euphonium parts and BOY DID I GET EM. I have never played more complicated music in my life and have more solos and melodies. We had a piece were we had 32nd note runs at 189 bpm. Was it hard as crap? Yes was it better than normal euphonium music? Also yes
It’s weird, even though the euphonium isn’t well known and is more obscure, I love it. I love the fact that it’s not an instrument you see everyday and people are genuinely interested when you tell them what it is. You could be a basic trumpet player, or a mysterious euphonium player lol
Actually I started off being sparked on to the Bellfront euphonium, I volunteered to do Tuba as the only Tuba player was graduating that year so I started Tuba at the end of freshman year, and we'll yeah now 7 years later I play Euph and double on Tuba =)
3 main differences between Tuba and Euphonium: 1. Euphonium is smaller 2. Euphonium play higher notes 3. If you call an Euphonium "Tuba" I will punch you
At first I wanted to play the clarinet because my dad liked the clarinet, one of my best friend played the clarinet, and I liked the sound of it. However, my mother liked the trumpet, and mom's love of the trumpet trumped dad's love of the clarinet, so I decided I wanted to play the trumpet. However, when it was actually time to start playing in the band in 7th grade the school didn't supply trumpets, and my parents decided they couldn't afford to buy a trumpet, so I went with a school rental instrument, and my band teacher "awarded" me a front action bell forward baritone horn, which is really more euphonium than baritone. I played that for a year and a half, and advanced fairly fast on it. Then my parents bought me a cornet, whereupon I switched, and my playing and interest started drifting down hill. When I started high school I switched back to baritone horn, mainly so I could get into the advanced band instead of being in the intermediate band. I only stayed in band for one year and then had to drop out due to schedule conflicts. Ever since then, and over the decades, every once in a while I would noodle on the cornet or trumpet (which I acquired along the way), and then about three years ago I bought a euphonium and realized that I was really a euphonium player pretending to be a trumpet player, so I have been taking lessons trying to catch up on my playing and have hardly touched the trumpet since then. To be honest, I'm still not very good at it, but I'm improving, and it's clear that euphonium is really my instrument.
I started on the baritone and switched to euphonium. You presented a really great short history of the instrument. I always wanted to be a doctor, so I had no illusions about playing the instrument professionally even though I could play the Mendelssohn Concerto on it while still in high school. The problem was that because Euphonium was so late evolving that very little was really great or original was written for the instrument. While playing Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso on the Euphonium is technically demanding, it was written for violin. On the euphonium it isn't considered music so much as it is a freak show. I have been a doctor for almost 48 years and the freak show part still hasn't changed. I think I made the right choice although I still love the instrument.
"Oh, your in a band? What instrument do you play?" - "I play a Euphonium" - "A what?" - "It's like a mini tuba [Sigh that says this happens too often]" This is me everytime, only one person I've met before actually knows what it is, all the others I've had to say "It looks like a mini tuba but doesn't sound like a tuba" with a look that says I'm tired of it. I type too much-
5:11 this literally happened to me 3 days ago this is so sad. I was surprised to know that there's actually a lot of euphonium/baritone players at my middle school and was shocked to find out that the high school im going to next year only has one. good to know that my friends that play with me are all going to the same highschool and we're gonna be the best god damn euphonium players the band has ever seen
Inspiring. I am going into 10th grade, and the rest of the euphoniums I met in 9th grade are all gonna be seniors. I am gonna be stuck with noobie freshmen next year
I never played euphonium in school, graduated in 2003. I played the baritone horn, but just recently, as in the last three days I bought one and have been playing better than our local tone deaf trombone player.😂
As someone that still plays the euphonium at the college level via the university's marching band's wind ensemble called "Campus Band" (for the university's marching band, I play the interchangeable version of that instrument called the marching baritone), this hit home for me, but in a different way. In 6th grade, I actually originally wanted to play the trumpet for my middle school's marching band, but after the band director found out that the trumpet mouthpiece was way too small for my lips (other contributing factors were that he knew I wanted to play something with valves but the french horn was out of the picture because the mouthpiece is smaller than the trumpet mouthpiece and I'm not physically built to be a tuba player; also my band had a shortage of euphonium players as well), he gave me the euphonium and I was able to produce a sound out of it. Alas, started my decade long (and so far still on-going) relationship with this instrument. Honestly, this was legit the best mistake of my life because not only did I get massive success for playing this instrument (being a soloist for many pieces in wind ensemble and marching band (got 1st place because of my solos on a few occasions for the band) and being so good that I was normally within the top percentile of musicians in both middle school and high school (college is probably the one time I was basically equal to the majority of players because the marching band at my university is very good)), but the euphonium's round tone in the tenor range it being a jack of all trades for different parts (supporting the low brass/low woodwinds, supporting the middle horns, and supporting the melody from trumpets/upper woodwinds). It's a unique and wonderful instrument that honestly should get more recognition for it's beautiful sound and versatility for instrument sections, but sadly it doesn't :'((
if i got a nickel for every time i’ve had to call the euphonium a baby tuba or a baritone… id own my own euphonium edit: heck- if i had a nickel for every time the band director seemingly forgot about us alone i’d have my own euph
i can tell you, band directors forgetting about us never changes. i play in one of the best youth brass bands in my country, but we still get forgotten. we have four pages while everybody else has two because we just have that many difficult runs and shit? yeah, we don't get to play half the rehearsal because the runs are distracting. i also play in a brass band with adults that is on a bit of a lower level. there, we never get praise for good things and the only corrections we get is when we're too fast because we're the only ones who notoriously always practice because we know we're one of the carrying parts in the band. fun times :D (this sounded way more bitter than i meant to, i'm not actually angry, it was meant to be funny)
When I played trumpet, the director would also forget us. I think brass is just forgotten and also the least appreciated… but I may be biased haha. I also get forgotten when I switched to euphonium. It’s nice to know that these types of stuff are shared experiences that every euphonium player have lol
Graduated many a year ago, but got forced into it at 5th grade because they needed someone to do it. It’s really one of the most beautiful instruments in my opinion, ended up learning the bone and the tuba as well. But the euph has the gentleness of French horn in the bass clef can’t freaking beat it
Literally i used to play trumpet and one day in my lesson my trumpet teacher shipped me into a baritone and when i moved school later for reasons unrelated to music, i bought my own eupho. After staying in concert band for literally 2 painful years with the only other eupho in our band being an npc who only pretends like he actually plays and never come to the performances. When i moved up to wind ensemble and became the only eupho, i picked up trombone and started to learn. The wierdest thing was i stayed in jazz ensemble for like a term and moved up to stage band while having to compete against other trombones who had more experience than me which kind of pissed me off when considering that it took 2 years for me to move up a single band when there were only 4 eupho players in our school then for it to take less than 3 months to move up with a trombone while competing against so many people. However, i absolutely love euphonium and where it got me within music.
I started off playing euphonium because it sounded funny and it was my band teacher's favourite instrument I turned out to be a natural at it, so here I am. I'm sick of explaining what it is, I feel your pain.
POV: Your parents and friends ask you what the difference between a Euphonium and Baritone is. 😑 When everyone, including the band director calls the Euphonium a Tiny Tuba. PAIN playing the Euphonium. It is so underrated, even though it is the best instrument.
This video was one of the most relatable videos I have every watched. Especially the part when you have to explain what it is like “it’s a tuba but smaller and higher pitched”
As a euphonium player, I’ve met many who don’t know what it is. In my English class, there are two other band kids. When the teacher asked us what we played, one answered trumpet, the other answered clarinet. When I said I said I played euphonium, everyone asked what it is
I always said, "it is like a tuba, but sounds kind of like a trombone, but has valves so it is better. Also, can sound like a French horn without having to put your hand up its... "
The service band audition that was in 2004 was for a vacancy for one of the 4 Euphonium spots in the "President's Own" (US Marine Band). This position was won by Ryan McGeorge after competing against more than 70 other Euphonium players from all over the US for this single chair. But the Marine Band had one other Euphonium opening in 2012 when the section leader, Phil Franke retired. That vacancy was won by Hiram Diaz. I should mention that there have been several other euphonium openings in several different premier service bands over the past 20 years. All 4 euph spots in the Navy Band became vacant from 2007-2010 and auditions were held for each one. All 3 AF Ceremonial Band positions opened up and were filled from 2016-2020. The overwhelming majority of these positions were filled by students of Dr. Brian Bowman formerly of the University of North Texas.
Hi there. I'm from Germany. Bavaria to be exact. I play in a wind chapel ("Blaskapelle" = traditional Bavarian wind orchestra). We at least have 4 Euophoniums every time we play something.
The part with the small Tuba completely broke me I had to stop the video, get outside of the room, vent to my parents, and only then come back. It was so painfully relateable, thank you very much.
I've been playing baritone since the 6th grade and all I can say is I'm happy that I'm an ohioan and we have excellent marching bands. High School marching bands wouldn't be shit without us.
The intro was so correct. I was a trumpet player from 6th to 7th but switched to tuba in eighth. Then at band camp in ninth I realized I was too small for the sousaphone and switched to baritone!
I live in spain and here most bands from the holy week (semana santa, look it up) seem to have 2-3 euphoniums and definitely they treat us better than in any other place I've been. It's pretty specific, spanish folk adapted to 50 brass instruments and about 40 snares, but as the first euphonium in my band i seem to get all the cool stuff and in general shred more than the trombones. Im by no means a professional euphonium player, tho i studied music and I'm a guitar teacher, but the way i see it, at least in spain there is a lot of young people getting interested in euphoniums because they get the solos and its not an annoying cornet, and maybe some of those will start showing off some skill outside procesion bands so we'll have flamenco fusion jazz on euphoniums to enjoy. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
The story at the beginning Matched mine perfectly because I wanted to play the clarinet but I couldn't make a sound so the teacher gave me the euphonium. The best this that happened in my band career
Close. Way back in the 80s, had braces. Made trumpet impossible. Teach handed me a baritone, and then graduated to the euphonium. 34 years later, still doin it; and still amazed at all the young ones deciding to join the cul..err... low brass section. Yeah. That.
ngl, the intro was spot on, except the fact I started on percussion instead of trumpet. I almost switched to oboe (sorry) so now instead I'm stuck playing badly transposed parts to support other instruments. Luckily our director played euphonium in high school so he sometimes gives us not-so-godawful parts, and there's at least more than one of us in the band, so it's not just me playing the weird tuba thing.
Found you while researching the trombone, I've never heard of the Euphonium until now! It sounds wonderful, glad the RUclips gods recommended you to me, happy to subscribe :]
I’m thankful that my middle school let students choose instruments for themselves. Too often I saw kids quit, because they attended schools that forced a given instrument. I picked horn 25 years ago, band director advising against it, and kept it up ever since. I have often thought about getting a euphonium to play around with.
5:18 that is exactly word to word what I say lol. Also my school district for whatever is reason is suddenly getting tons of Euphonium players, in out highest band and medium band we have 2 and in our lowest band we have 5 and next year we are getting another 5 so it will be 14 Euphonium players spread across 3 bands so about 4 per band
In HS I had the embouchure for trombone, baritone and tuba, guess what dusty old beaten up instrument was the only one left in the music storeroom? Yep a euphonium. I played euphonium in HS, college marching band, concert band and brass ensemble. I also played a baritone bugle while in the Navy Recruit Drum & Bugle Corps. That was over 50 years ago, so euphonium players take pride in this beautiful instrument.
The euphonium that I started to use in 4th grade back in 2002 wasnt used in 15 years and used it for 9 years. Still working after 20 years miraculously.
I wish RUclips had recommended this to me sooner. Like honestly every point you made was accurate, even down to the conversation of "it's a mini tuba." I literally use that exact same sentence to explain it. Great video. Very on point. If I ever need to explain to someone issues with playing the Euphonium I may as well send them here.
I watched this after our school's spring concert, so when he said that Planets featured the euphonium that hurt, because our symphonic band played it, but I was in the wind ensemble.
I remember in School I didn't like band class at all. The biggest instrument they had for us at the time was a euphonium. I was the only one in my class who could actually play it so was given to me by default. Looking back I didn't give the instrument the respect it deserves. There was a certain amount of pride to having the biggest instrument in the room. Recently I've been trying to get back into music and teach myself bass guitar. I also plan on trying and Euphonium if I can find one I can afford
I have never once intentionally searched euphonium content on RUclips, yet it suggested this to me 3 years later. Jokes on you though, I CHOSE the euphonium
I've been a trombonist since sixth grade but this year (my senior year) I've picked up euphonium to make up for the fact that we have no upperclassman euphonists at my school, so I wholeheartedly agree that there need to be more euphonists!!
You described my journey to learn euphonium. I had my heart set on trumpet until the band director encouraged me to learn low brass instead. I dabble every once in a while on trumpet, but I still go back to my euphonium! 🎺🎶😍
As a trombone, I love the euphonium, it's more unique than people think. It's a beautiful sounding instrument and it really should have more opportunities.
That intro really explained my situation so well haha. Played trumpet for six years (and I still suck at it), decided to play baritone for second year of high school marching band and my teacher was so surprised that, during concert band, they would hint about how the band needed a euphonium or baritone because the one player that did play euphonium left (very subtle). Anyways switching was probably the best decision I have ever made, even when my family were irritated about my “giant trumpet” taking space. But it’s so sad to see how unknown it is. Yesterday I had to say that my euphonium was like a baritone to a random group of people when they asked what I played. Even the euphonium player who played last year wanted to originally play trumpet, but they’re still proud to play euphonium. Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that euphonium is just the best no matter what >:)
I cannot believe how relatable this is every time I'm carrying my kids around school when going to different hours oh my gosh isn't that heavy what kind of instrument is that and I say euphonium in there like what is that in every single time I say mini tuba just because I don't want to explain to them what my instrument actually is and I can literally relate to this because I'm one of the only euphoniums in my whole school and everything this man just said in this video is absolutely true
I am the only Euphonium player in my middle school and I understand your pain. Luckily our School bought a new Jupiter Euphonium this year, but I am still treated like a bad trumpet or annoying tuba.
7:05 I once said that one of my dreams is to make the euphonium more popular. I hate having to explain the difference between a euphonium and other low brass instruments. Since I started playing the euphonium I've leaned away from my other instruments and it's now the easiest instrument for me to really play, as well as my favorite. I am so glad you made this video!
Thanks for adding the excerpt from The Planets. That's a beautiful piece - played most often as the patriotic hymn in the UK, "I Vow to Thee My Country." I didn't realize Jupiter made 4 valve horns with all as top valves.
Yes, similar to my journey, indeed. My band director had a dinner with my parents and recommended I join the euphonium section. I left my trumpet track and hopped into the euph. I enjoyed the remainder of my middle school days, and in high school, I learned to love marching baritone. I continued playing euphonium in concert band and baritone in marching season. I still enjoy the register the euph shines inside of. The trombones might think they’ve got class… but my school remembers the hustle with the muscle! The baritone squad!! ❤❤❤
I played Baritone (Euphonium) from 6th-8th grade and loved it. We started with five Euphoniums, but four migrated to Tuba. I didn't want to do Tuba, so it was myself and a friend who played Trombone. The thing that sucked was that my friend was terrible at Trombone, so I had to cover for him. I was the first chair Trombone despite playing Baritone (Euphonium). This was okay until 8th grade when I was upgraded to play the background melody parts for songs. This lasted all of two weeks before my band director realized my friend was so terrible at Trombone that I needed to go back to playing first chair Trombone................ The part that really sucked was my friend was PROUD of being so shitty that he robbed me of being able to play the melody. If you're reading this, Cole S., I don't know what your problem was, but you suck.
One day I wanted to just try a trombone (I was playing trumpet at the time) and my band director went in his exact words “ how about a trombone with valves” and he handed me a baritone. It was the most crusty one at the school to. So I played that for the rest of the year until the summer when I asked if I could bring one home for the summer and he handed me a 4 valve euphonium. I was like what’s that and when I played it I instantly fell in love with the sound. Now I will never stop playing euphonium (I’m sadly the only one in my school with an euphonium so when we’re playing music and the director is like can I hear the baritone at measure # and I’m like when will he call it a euphonium
This is so relatable. They day I got mine I told my director I wanted to play trombone but he came out with this weird case and I don't regret not playing trombone
I was a trombone player in high school and didn't switch to euphonium/baritone until I joined a couple of local groups. Now I'm having to switch back to trombone in one of the groups because we don't have any! But I do agree that euphonium is not as popular and its harder to find players. Thanks for making this video, it was great!
I thought the French horn was an uncommon instrument, until I remembered the Euphonium existed. I haven't seen a Euphonium player in like 4 years, and forgot the instrument existed. I can't even remember anything about the Euphonium players in my school band, I am honestly convinced that Euphonium players are mythical creatures, like elves and the British.
Fellow yoof dude here. I started on trombone, and I started playing euph sophomore year in my school's marching band. I want to play the euph more, and develop my tone as well, since me playing euph sounds like someone playing a trombone with the listener wearing earmuffs. My primary instrument is trombone, but I can't ignore the beautiful, "sweet-sound" of the euphonium. Now, granted, I'm currently a junior and have only played the euph for a year, but that's only because I finally got the opportunity last year. My school has been blessed with several very talented euph players, of which I am one of the newest and one of the least experienced, which is the main reason why I didn't start earlier, and also why I don't play it as much as I'd like to. I've been appreciating the sound of and dreaming of playing the euph since I started on trombone in 6th grade. My high school has a tuba-euph chamber ensemble that I now participate in. Regardless, I feel your pain, brother. I hope that more schools will recognize the beauty and complexity of the euphonium and apply it more to their respective ensembles.
A game I like to play is whenever there's a band scene in a movie is "Spot the Euphonium/ Baritone". So far I spotted Euphonium/Baritones in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off (surprisingly if you have a good eye for details it's very easy to find and at the end of the Twist and Shout song a few Euphonium players lift their instruments in the air and its beautiful) and Grease (for a split second)
When we were trying out instruments in beginner band, I specifically cut out the French horn to try tuba (Choice was between trombone, euphonium [which I often call baritone], and tuba). My arms were too short for trombone and my range wasn't good enough for tuba (I was playing baritone range), and so I got put on tuba
0:00 - 0:50 you literally just explained exactly what happened to me once I reached high school band. 5 years of trumpet through middle school to euphonium in high school. To be honest I’m grateful I was moved over. Very beautiful and underrated instrument.
I had a simmilar thing but over the course of 5 minutes not 5 years, in elementary school you can start playing an instrument in 4th grade and I wanted to do trumpet so when we tried out instruments I tried it and couldn't make a single note, I was a little better on trombone and when I tried Euphonium i was able to play notes on it and my band teacher suggested I did that instead
@@campbat5712 when i was a small kid many years ago we were allowed to start an instrument in 4th grade too. i reallly wanted to play violin, along with almost every other upcoming 4th grader. instead i was bestowed the school rental trumpet and played that through to highschool aside from the one year i played french horn bc we were out of loaner trumpets
I joined a new small high school for my senior year, and they haven't have a baritone player in 2 years until I came along, and I'm still the only baritone/euphonium player. I have a ton of fun with the instrument I've been playing since the sixth grade, and I have future plans to continue playing after high school, maybe even professionally.
Been playing the Euph since 5th grade, graduated 3 years ago and played in college as well but now but nobody ever explained to me just how competitive the music scene is especially for my instrument so i ended up dropping out after a year of dread. So im just down to keeping it as a hobby in a local band around me and ive never been happier with it
I apologize for my microphone at the end there, I just don't know how to make RUclips videos.
You should cover the southern style of euphonium playing. Look up schools like Talladega college, Southern university, and Jackson state university (even though they use baritones) we deserve love too 😭
Do you have a link to the arrangement of Gabriel's oboe that as being played in the background before Jupiter? Thanks!
At the beginning of this video you almost got me right. I'm actually a bass clarinet player who switched over from clarinet because there wasn't enough bass in our band. But at least I can say I'm in orchestras because of clarinet.
Invest in a Sennheiser MD 421. Used. about $400. Use a Boom stand , mic no closer than 3ft from bell top.
I am glad I am just a normal trumpet player
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve had to call it a “baby/mini/half-sized tuba,” I would be able to afford a compensating horn.
Until then, I’m stuck with the small bore three valve horn I’ve been playing since the sixth grade.
literally same bro
Technically, it's a tenor tuba. Has the same bore taper and everything.
I like to think of it as a wind cello. It should be able to play all the cello suites.
I always go with "a small tuba that sounds like a mix of a saxophone and tuba"
I call it a great value brand tuba 🤣
I call it a big trumpet simply because I chose to play Treble Clef
I’m tried of having to explain to my family members or friends what a euphonium is when they ask what instrument I play 🗿
It’s a TINY TUBA
Or a trumpet on steroids
Its a BaBy TuBa
Baby tuba with trombone range😢😢😢😢😢
@@gmoneybags9 certain pieces I played in high school had euph accompany the tuba with pedal tones, and other pieces had me in the French horn range.
Naahhhh, superior to Trombone in many ways. Literally has way better range capablities than a Trombone
As the only Euphonium player in my high school…
I feel your pain. We must unite, brothers and sisters
This is my last year in my high school as a baritone and euphoneium player 😭😭😭😖
I just started Middle school and I play Euph. I can empathize
Grade 7 band 2 clarinets 3 flute 3 trumpet 3 sax 3 trombone 1 euphonium (me) my teachers a tuba player
YES
yes
I chose to play euphonium from my middle school beginnings. i whole heartedly agree, euphoniums are underrated and need to be featured more.
I'm in the same boat as you, I wanted to play the flute but I tried out a bunch of instruments and I got scored on each they said Euphonium was my best score so I went with that. I do not regret it, I love my euphonium. Though I play trombone and try to learn the bassoon, Euphonium will always be my number 1.
@@RandoGuy euphonium is a good basis for learning alot of different instruments. Like for me I started learning trumpet in highschool and it's basically the same as the euph so it was easy to learn. Cello was easy for me to learn because I already had know base clef. Piano is also a good instruemnt for any euph player to know because euph players play in both bass and treble. Let's just say euph is awesome
Agreeeeee. Fell in love in 5th grade
Same, we need to unite
Good lord be careful what you wish for. 🤣 I’m in college now and prayed for better euphonium parts and BOY DID I GET EM. I have never played more complicated music in my life and have more solos and melodies. We had a piece were we had 32nd note runs at 189 bpm. Was it hard as crap? Yes was it better than normal euphonium music? Also yes
As a euphonium player. This video is very accurate and amazing.
Yes
Amen. I felt good to hear my own thoughts voiced.
"Tuba?
...
Ooohhh, you mean a big euphonium?"
Underrated comment 😂
It’s weird, even though the euphonium isn’t well known and is more obscure, I love it. I love the fact that it’s not an instrument you see everyday and people are genuinely interested when you tell them what it is. You could be a basic trumpet player, or a mysterious euphonium player lol
Exactly this is why I choose to play the euphonium instead of a trumpet
@@mooron394I chose both
Actually I started off being sparked on to the Bellfront euphonium, I volunteered to do Tuba as the only Tuba player was graduating that year so I started Tuba at the end of freshman year, and we'll yeah now 7 years later I play Euph and double on Tuba =)
3 main differences between Tuba and Euphonium:
1. Euphonium is smaller
2. Euphonium play higher notes
3. If you call an Euphonium "Tuba" I will punch you
Or baritone.
My biggest pet peeve is "oh so it's a baritone!" NO.
@@auto.36 "LOOK AT THE GOD DAMN BELL"
@wHaT's A eUpHoNiUm? I adore your username
(Tenor) tuba
As a tuba player I can agree that calling a euphonium a tuba is a sin
At first I wanted to play the clarinet because my dad liked the clarinet, one of my best friend played the clarinet, and I liked the sound of it. However, my mother liked the trumpet, and mom's love of the trumpet trumped dad's love of the clarinet, so I decided I wanted to play the trumpet. However, when it was actually time to start playing in the band in 7th grade the school didn't supply trumpets, and my parents decided they couldn't afford to buy a trumpet, so I went with a school rental instrument, and my band teacher "awarded" me a front action bell forward baritone horn, which is really more euphonium than baritone.
I played that for a year and a half, and advanced fairly fast on it. Then my parents bought me a cornet, whereupon I switched, and my playing and interest started drifting down hill. When I started high school I switched back to baritone horn, mainly so I could get into the advanced band instead of being in the intermediate band. I only stayed in band for one year and then had to drop out due to schedule conflicts.
Ever since then, and over the decades, every once in a while I would noodle on the cornet or trumpet (which I acquired along the way), and then about three years ago I bought a euphonium and realized that I was really a euphonium player pretending to be a trumpet player, so I have been taking lessons trying to catch up on my playing and have hardly touched the trumpet since then. To be honest, I'm still not very good at it, but I'm improving, and it's clear that euphonium is really my instrument.
I started on the baritone and switched to euphonium. You presented a really great short history of the instrument. I always wanted to be a doctor, so I had no illusions about playing the instrument professionally even though I could play the Mendelssohn Concerto on it while still in high school. The problem was that because Euphonium was so late evolving that very little was really great or original was written for the instrument. While playing Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso on the Euphonium is technically demanding, it was written for violin. On the euphonium it isn't considered music so much as it is a freak show. I have been a doctor for almost 48 years and the freak show part still hasn't changed. I think I made the right choice although I still love the instrument.
"Oh, your in a band? What instrument do you play?" - "I play a Euphonium" - "A what?" - "It's like a mini tuba [Sigh that says this happens too often]" This is me everytime, only one person I've met before actually knows what it is, all the others I've had to say "It looks like a mini tuba but doesn't sound like a tuba" with a look that says I'm tired of it. I type too much-
5:11 this literally happened to me 3 days ago this is so sad. I was surprised to know that there's actually a lot of euphonium/baritone players at my middle school and was shocked to find out that the high school im going to next year only has one. good to know that my friends that play with me are all going to the same highschool and we're gonna be the best god damn euphonium players the band has ever seen
Inspiring. I am going into 10th grade, and the rest of the euphoniums I met in 9th grade are all gonna be seniors. I am gonna be stuck with noobie freshmen next year
I never played euphonium in school, graduated in 2003. I played the baritone horn, but just recently, as in the last three days I bought one and have been playing better than our local tone deaf trombone player.😂
A trombone is only a wind-driven, manually operated, pitch approximator.
Holy shit he got everything on point about how I started playing euphonium
Ikr??? Lolol I was so surprised he got everything down
As someone that still plays the euphonium at the college level via the university's marching band's wind ensemble called "Campus Band" (for the university's marching band, I play the interchangeable version of that instrument called the marching baritone), this hit home for me, but in a different way. In 6th grade, I actually originally wanted to play the trumpet for my middle school's marching band, but after the band director found out that the trumpet mouthpiece was way too small for my lips (other contributing factors were that he knew I wanted to play something with valves but the french horn was out of the picture because the mouthpiece is smaller than the trumpet mouthpiece and I'm not physically built to be a tuba player; also my band had a shortage of euphonium players as well), he gave me the euphonium and I was able to produce a sound out of it. Alas, started my decade long (and so far still on-going) relationship with this instrument. Honestly, this was legit the best mistake of my life because not only did I get massive success for playing this instrument (being a soloist for many pieces in wind ensemble and marching band (got 1st place because of my solos on a few occasions for the band) and being so good that I was normally within the top percentile of musicians in both middle school and high school (college is probably the one time I was basically equal to the majority of players because the marching band at my university is very good)), but the euphonium's round tone in the tenor range it being a jack of all trades for different parts (supporting the low brass/low woodwinds, supporting the middle horns, and supporting the melody from trumpets/upper woodwinds). It's a unique and wonderful instrument that honestly should get more recognition for it's beautiful sound and versatility for instrument sections, but sadly it doesn't :'((
if i got a nickel for every time i’ve had to call the euphonium a baby tuba or a baritone…
id own my own euphonium
edit: heck- if i had a nickel for every time the band director seemingly forgot about us alone i’d have my own euph
i can tell you, band directors forgetting about us never changes.
i play in one of the best youth brass bands in my country, but we still get forgotten. we have four pages while everybody else has two because we just have that many difficult runs and shit? yeah, we don't get to play half the rehearsal because the runs are distracting.
i also play in a brass band with adults that is on a bit of a lower level. there, we never get praise for good things and the only corrections we get is when we're too fast because we're the only ones who notoriously always practice because we know we're one of the carrying parts in the band. fun times :D
(this sounded way more bitter than i meant to, i'm not actually angry, it was meant to be funny)
When I played trumpet, the director would also forget us. I think brass is just forgotten and also the least appreciated… but I may be biased haha. I also get forgotten when I switched to euphonium. It’s nice to know that these types of stuff are shared experiences that every euphonium player have lol
on god this video slaps
Do you know what a Treble Clef Euphonium player is actually? (A disappointed trumpet, of course)
If I had a nickel for everytime I had to say “mini tuba” when explaining what instrument I play, I’d have enough money to buy my own euphonium
I love the euphonium! I am that trumpet that wanted to switch, fell in love with the euph
God I love my instrument. Euphonium pride is absolutely unmatched.
Graduated many a year ago, but got forced into it at 5th grade because they needed someone to do it. It’s really one of the most beautiful instruments in my opinion, ended up learning the bone and the tuba as well. But the euph has the gentleness of French horn in the bass clef can’t freaking beat it
IT is heartening to see that the euphonium world is in good hands. Thank-You
Literally i used to play trumpet and one day in my lesson my trumpet teacher shipped me into a baritone and when i moved school later for reasons unrelated to music, i bought my own eupho. After staying in concert band for literally 2 painful years with the only other eupho in our band being an npc who only pretends like he actually plays and never come to the performances. When i moved up to wind ensemble and became the only eupho, i picked up trombone and started to learn. The wierdest thing was i stayed in jazz ensemble for like a term and moved up to stage band while having to compete against other trombones who had more experience than me which kind of pissed me off when considering that it took 2 years for me to move up a single band when there were only 4 eupho players in our school then for it to take less than 3 months to move up with a trombone while competing against so many people. However, i absolutely love euphonium and where it got me within music.
ive been playing for 5 years and id be a millionare for how many times ive had to explain it as a "mini tuba" if i had a dollar every time
I started off playing euphonium because it sounded funny and it was my band teacher's favourite instrument
I turned out to be a natural at it, so here I am.
I'm sick of explaining what it is, I feel your pain.
Just play dont explain 😊😊
POV: Your parents and friends ask you what the difference between a Euphonium and Baritone is. 😑
When everyone, including the band director calls the Euphonium a Tiny Tuba.
PAIN playing the Euphonium. It is so underrated, even though it is the best instrument.
If I counted the amount of times someone said "The what" and I said "Its like a small tuba", wait I cant count that high.
This video was one of the most relatable videos I have every watched. Especially the part when you have to explain what it is like “it’s a tuba but smaller and higher pitched”
As a euphonium player, I’ve met many who don’t know what it is. In my English class, there are two other band kids. When the teacher asked us what we played, one answered trumpet, the other answered clarinet. When I said I said I played euphonium, everyone asked what it is
How do you explain what a euphonium is? I usually say it a small trumpet (or a fat trumpet for marching bands)
@@oscarcolbert7982 I plan on telling people it is an enlarged trumpet that plays lower notes
I always said, "it is like a tuba, but sounds kind of like a trombone, but has valves so it is better. Also, can sound like a French horn without having to put your hand up its... "
It's a hybrid
The service band audition that was in 2004 was for a vacancy for one of the 4 Euphonium spots in the "President's Own" (US Marine Band). This position was won by Ryan McGeorge after competing against more than 70 other Euphonium players from all over the US for this single chair.
But the Marine Band had one other Euphonium opening in 2012 when the section leader, Phil Franke retired. That vacancy was won by Hiram Diaz.
I should mention that there have been several other euphonium openings in several different premier service bands over the past 20 years. All 4 euph spots in the Navy Band became vacant from 2007-2010 and auditions were held for each one. All 3 AF Ceremonial Band positions opened up and were filled from 2016-2020. The overwhelming majority of these positions were filled by students of Dr. Brian Bowman formerly of the University of North Texas.
The order of the instruments that I played -recorder,violin,trumpet,baritone,
Euphonium (lol. I can feel the pain of many instruments
That's pretty much the exact same order I went in. I hated the violin so much
Hi there. I'm from Germany. Bavaria to be exact. I play in a wind chapel ("Blaskapelle" = traditional Bavarian wind orchestra). We at least have 4 Euophoniums every time we play something.
The part with the small Tuba completely broke me I had to stop the video, get outside of the room, vent to my parents, and only then come back. It was so painfully relateable, thank you very much.
I've been playing baritone since the 6th grade and all I can say is I'm happy that I'm an ohioan and we have excellent marching bands. High School marching bands wouldn't be shit without us.
The intro was so correct. I was a trumpet player from 6th to 7th but switched to tuba in eighth. Then at band camp in ninth I realized I was too small for the sousaphone and switched to baritone!
I've actually been a euphonium since day one
I live in spain and here most bands from the holy week (semana santa, look it up) seem to have 2-3 euphoniums and definitely they treat us better than in any other place I've been. It's pretty specific, spanish folk adapted to 50 brass instruments and about 40 snares, but as the first euphonium in my band i seem to get all the cool stuff and in general shred more than the trombones. Im by no means a professional euphonium player, tho i studied music and I'm a guitar teacher, but the way i see it, at least in spain there is a lot of young people getting interested in euphoniums because they get the solos and its not an annoying cornet, and maybe some of those will start showing off some skill outside procesion bands so we'll have flamenco fusion jazz on euphoniums to enjoy.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
U literally described my band journey
Even though it may be limited and not as recognized, there is no other instrument I would rather be playing.
The story at the beginning Matched mine perfectly because I wanted to play the clarinet but I couldn't make a sound so the teacher gave me the euphonium.
The best this that happened in my band career
I very much enjoyed your video. I hope you are out there somewhere still playing your euphonium.
As a euphonium pure blood, I thank you for this
Close. Way back in the 80s, had braces. Made trumpet impossible. Teach handed me a baritone, and then graduated to the euphonium. 34 years later, still doin it; and still amazed at all the young ones deciding to join the cul..err... low brass section. Yeah. That.
ngl, the intro was spot on, except the fact I started on percussion instead of trumpet. I almost switched to oboe (sorry) so now instead I'm stuck playing badly transposed parts to support other instruments. Luckily our director played euphonium in high school so he sometimes gives us not-so-godawful parts, and there's at least more than one of us in the band, so it's not just me playing the weird tuba thing.
0:42 seconds in and he already explained how my music career started.
BRO THIS IS SO REAL.
Found you while researching the trombone, I've never heard of the Euphonium until now! It sounds wonderful, glad the RUclips gods recommended you to me, happy to subscribe :]
In my beginning band there are 10 euphoniums, but we aren’t appreciated, even the Tubas beat us in that
I love the euphonium. I had to beg my band director to let switch from trombone and let me play it
Three years later and I thank the RUclips algorithm. Small tuba hit different.
Being a Euphonium player is like a love-hate relationship
I’m thankful that my middle school let students choose instruments for themselves. Too often I saw kids quit, because they attended schools that forced a given instrument. I picked horn 25 years ago, band director advising against it, and kept it up ever since. I have often thought about getting a euphonium to play around with.
5:18 that is exactly word to word what I say lol. Also my school district for whatever is reason is suddenly getting tons of Euphonium players, in out highest band and medium band we have 2 and in our lowest band we have 5 and next year we are getting another 5 so it will be 14 Euphonium players spread across 3 bands so about 4 per band
In HS I had the embouchure for trombone, baritone and tuba, guess what dusty old beaten up instrument was the only one left in the music storeroom? Yep a euphonium. I played euphonium in HS, college marching band, concert band and brass ensemble. I also played a baritone bugle while in the Navy Recruit Drum & Bugle Corps. That was over 50 years ago, so euphonium players take pride in this beautiful instrument.
The euphonium that I started to use in 4th grade back in 2002 wasnt used in 15 years and used it for 9 years. Still working after 20 years miraculously.
2:10 | Oh my god, dude that was so funny. 😂
I wish RUclips had recommended this to me sooner. Like honestly every point you made was accurate, even down to the conversation of "it's a mini tuba." I literally use that exact same sentence to explain it. Great video. Very on point. If I ever need to explain to someone issues with playing the Euphonium I may as well send them here.
Anytime I mention my euphonium:
Literally everyone: what's that??????
Me: it's like a mini tuba
I watched this after our school's spring concert, so when he said that Planets featured the euphonium that hurt, because our symphonic band played it, but I was in the wind ensemble.
I remember in School I didn't like band class at all. The biggest instrument they had for us at the time was a euphonium. I was the only one in my class who could actually play it so was given to me by default. Looking back I didn't give the instrument the respect it deserves. There was a certain amount of pride to having the biggest instrument in the room. Recently I've been trying to get back into music and teach myself bass guitar. I also plan on trying and Euphonium if I can find one I can afford
I have never once intentionally searched euphonium content on RUclips, yet it suggested this to me 3 years later. Jokes on you though, I CHOSE the euphonium
I've been a trombonist since sixth grade but this year (my senior year) I've picked up euphonium to make up for the fact that we have no upperclassman euphonists at my school, so I wholeheartedly agree that there need to be more euphonists!!
You described my journey to learn euphonium. I had my heart set on trumpet until the band director encouraged me to learn low brass instead. I dabble every once in a while on trumpet, but I still go back to my euphonium! 🎺🎶😍
As a trombone, I love the euphonium, it's more unique than people think. It's a beautiful sounding instrument and it really should have more opportunities.
Holy shit the begging was exactly my situation
That intro really explained my situation so well haha. Played trumpet for six years (and I still suck at it), decided to play baritone for second year of high school marching band and my teacher was so surprised that, during concert band, they would hint about how the band needed a euphonium or baritone because the one player that did play euphonium left (very subtle).
Anyways switching was probably the best decision I have ever made, even when my family were irritated about my “giant trumpet” taking space. But it’s so sad to see how unknown it is. Yesterday I had to say that my euphonium was like a baritone to a random group of people when they asked what I played. Even the euphonium player who played last year wanted to originally play trumpet, but they’re still proud to play euphonium.
Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that euphonium is just the best no matter what >:)
5:15… I can’t anymore. I just… can’t.
I cannot believe how relatable this is every time I'm carrying my kids around school when going to different hours oh my gosh isn't that heavy what kind of instrument is that and I say euphonium in there like what is that in every single time I say mini tuba just because I don't want to explain to them what my instrument actually is and I can literally relate to this because I'm one of the only euphoniums in my whole school and everything this man just said in this video is absolutely true
I am the only Euphonium player in my middle school and I understand your pain.
Luckily our School bought a new Jupiter Euphonium this year, but I am still treated like a bad trumpet or annoying tuba.
Don’t worry! I’m a euphonium player too! We’ll make it through together ❤️
I willingly brought this pain upon myself and I still ask that question.
7:05 I once said that one of my dreams is to make the euphonium more popular. I hate having to explain the difference between a euphonium and other low brass instruments. Since I started playing the euphonium I've leaned away from my other instruments and it's now the easiest instrument for me to really play, as well as my favorite. I am so glad you made this video!
Thanks for adding the excerpt from The Planets. That's a beautiful piece - played most often as the patriotic hymn in the UK, "I Vow to Thee My Country."
I didn't realize Jupiter made 4 valve horns with all as top valves.
Yes, similar to my journey, indeed. My band director had a dinner with my parents and recommended I join the euphonium section. I left my trumpet track and hopped into the euph. I enjoyed the remainder of my middle school days, and in high school, I learned to love marching baritone. I continued playing euphonium in concert band and baritone in marching season. I still enjoy the register the euph shines inside of. The trombones might think they’ve got class… but my school remembers the hustle with the muscle! The baritone squad!! ❤❤❤
I played Baritone (Euphonium) from 6th-8th grade and loved it. We started with five Euphoniums, but four migrated to Tuba. I didn't want to do Tuba, so it was myself and a friend who played Trombone. The thing that sucked was that my friend was terrible at Trombone, so I had to cover for him. I was the first chair Trombone despite playing Baritone (Euphonium). This was okay until 8th grade when I was upgraded to play the background melody parts for songs. This lasted all of two weeks before my band director realized my friend was so terrible at Trombone that I needed to go back to playing first chair Trombone................ The part that really sucked was my friend was PROUD of being so shitty that he robbed me of being able to play the melody.
If you're reading this, Cole S., I don't know what your problem was, but you suck.
I love the euph, and would love to pick it up sometime, the tone is just so warm and beautiful of all the brass instruments to me... one day....
One day I wanted to just try a trombone (I was playing trumpet at the time) and my band director went in his exact words “ how about a trombone with valves” and he handed me a baritone. It was the most crusty one at the school to. So I played that for the rest of the year until the summer when I asked if I could bring one home for the summer and he handed me a 4 valve euphonium. I was like what’s that and when I played it I instantly fell in love with the sound. Now I will never stop playing euphonium (I’m sadly the only one in my school with an euphonium so when we’re playing music and the director is like can I hear the baritone at measure # and I’m like when will he call it a euphonium
This is so relatable. They day I got mine I told my director I wanted to play trombone but he came out with this weird case and I don't regret not playing trombone
I was a trombone player in high school and didn't switch to euphonium/baritone until I joined a couple of local groups. Now I'm having to switch back to trombone in one of the groups because we don't have any! But I do agree that euphonium is not as popular and its harder to find players. Thanks for making this video, it was great!
Great vid. I love all the 'unpopular' instruments, Euphonium, Tenor Horn, Bassoon etc.
'LONG LIVE THE DIFFERENT'!
I thought the French horn was an uncommon instrument, until I remembered the Euphonium existed. I haven't seen a Euphonium player in like 4 years, and forgot the instrument existed. I can't even remember anything about the Euphonium players in my school band, I am honestly convinced that Euphonium players are mythical creatures, like elves and the British.
ive been playing the euphonium since 6th grade, and gustav holst pieces are still some of my favorites to play, but seriously great video fr
Fellow yoof dude here.
I started on trombone, and I started playing euph sophomore year in my school's marching band. I want to play the euph more, and develop my tone as well, since me playing euph sounds like someone playing a trombone with the listener wearing earmuffs. My primary instrument is trombone, but I can't ignore the beautiful, "sweet-sound" of the euphonium.
Now, granted, I'm currently a junior and have only played the euph for a year, but that's only because I finally got the opportunity last year. My school has been blessed with several very talented euph players, of which I am one of the newest and one of the least experienced, which is the main reason why I didn't start earlier, and also why I don't play it as much as I'd like to. I've been appreciating the sound of and dreaming of playing the euph since I started on trombone in 6th grade. My high school has a tuba-euph chamber ensemble that I now participate in.
Regardless, I feel your pain, brother. I hope that more schools will recognize the beauty and complexity of the euphonium and apply it more to their respective ensembles.
Dude I would have killed to have a tuba-euph ensemble at my high school. That sounds awesome
@@Bennim It's a lot of fun! It also prepares my chops for first hour band since it's an hour before school actually starts.
A game I like to play is whenever there's a band scene in a movie is "Spot the Euphonium/ Baritone". So far I spotted Euphonium/Baritones in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off (surprisingly if you have a good eye for details it's very easy to find and at the end of the Twist and Shout song a few Euphonium players lift their instruments in the air and its beautiful) and Grease (for a split second)
Don't forget the baritone in "40 Year Old Virgin." still pissed about that one
How in the world did you know so much about my life, it is weird how much I related to the beginning but great vid bro :)
the fact that you were spot on at the beginning low key scares me
When we were trying out instruments in beginner band, I specifically cut out the French horn to try tuba (Choice was between trombone, euphonium [which I often call baritone], and tuba).
My arms were too short for trombone and my range wasn't good enough for tuba (I was playing baritone range), and so I got put on tuba
0:00 - 0:50 you literally just explained exactly what happened to me once I reached high school band. 5 years of trumpet through middle school to euphonium in high school. To be honest I’m grateful I was moved over. Very beautiful and underrated instrument.
I had a simmilar thing but over the course of 5 minutes not 5 years, in elementary school you can start playing an instrument in 4th grade and I wanted to do trumpet so when we tried out instruments I tried it and couldn't make a single note, I was a little better on trombone and when I tried Euphonium i was able to play notes on it and my band teacher suggested I did that instead
@@campbat5712 when i was a small kid many years ago we were allowed to start an instrument in 4th grade too. i reallly wanted to play violin, along with almost every other upcoming 4th grader. instead i was bestowed the school rental trumpet and played that through to highschool aside from the one year i played french horn bc we were out of loaner trumpets
Don’t worry, i started playing it last year and i plan on sticking with it
More than a half century ago i was where you are. Trumpet to melaphone to baritone to french horn to euphonium to tuba and sousaphone.
I joined a new small high school for my senior year, and they haven't have a baritone player in 2 years until I came along, and I'm still the only baritone/euphonium player. I have a ton of fun with the instrument I've been playing since the sixth grade, and I have future plans to continue playing after high school, maybe even professionally.
Been playing the Euph since 5th grade, graduated 3 years ago and played in college as well but now but nobody ever explained to me just how competitive the music scene is especially for my instrument so i ended up dropping out after a year of dread. So im just down to keeping it as a hobby in a local band around me and ive never been happier with it
I studied jazz under Rich Matteson at North Texas in the '80s. Great player, great man.
that intro was surprisingly accurate
I actually converted without being confronted about it cause I’m based
I'm exactly like you said, I'm learning the euphonium at my school and when I tell someone that I play the euphonium, they don't know what it is.
I am here!! :D
A little conscious about putting video's online but I love it. Eventhough my teachers call it a baritone
Us euphoniums in our school are happy and proud. We are “baritone bois”
as a euphonium player I got a euphonium named "big nasty". it was named that by the whole band not just the low brass