The Euphonium, sometimes called the Baritone, is part of the low brass family. It plays in about the same range as the trombone and is a link between the trombones and the tubas. It can even use the same mouthpiece as a trombone! Many beginner Euphoniums have three valves, but often students will upgrade in middle or high school to a Euphonium with four valves. This extra fourth valve can either be on the top of the Euphonium with the others or on the side of the Euphonium as seen in the picture to the left.
You might make a great Euphonium player if:
You might make a great Euphonium player if:
- You make a natural low buzz on brass mouthpieces
- You prefer low sounds to high sounds
- Your fingers are relatively strong
- You desire to play a unique instrument
- You can discriminate high and low pitches by ear
Here is a video of a famous Euphonium player, Steven Mead, playing a piece called "Pearls."
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You might recognize this song from "The Sound of Music." Here is the ISU Tuba Euphonium Ensemble playing "My Favorite Things."
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Financial Information
The Euphonium is one of the more expensive brass instruments to rent, and beginners usually rent their first instrument. Even though the initial investment is high, upkeep is usually pretty low as long as students are careful. Students often make a mouthpiece upgrade first, then in middle school or high school they may upgrade to a more advanced four valve instrument. High School students who are serious about continuing to play the Euphonium will often upgrade to a compensating Euphonium, which is the most expensive upgrade. Great Euphonium players often receive scholarships at smaller colleges and universities.