Ms. Snyder's Band & Orchestra
Give your best to gain success and accept that mistakes teach us
Baritone/Euphonium
The low brass is like the wheel of the band. Without a trombone, baritone and tuba a band is like a car without a wheel or a person with no heart. Which means you can't drive or live. That's pretty serious. Baritone is like another wheel. Both Baritone and Tuba are low foundation instruments of the band.
Assembly
The baritone/euphonium is comprised of two main parts: mouthpiece and body. When assembling, always tip in the mouthpiece to avoid damaging the rim of instrument & mouthpiece.
Buzz
To start, place lips in an "em" position, then buzz making a "fly" sound. If your lips are looser it is how most make a "raspberry" or a "horse" sound. Make sure your mouth is solid, but not tight against the mouthpiece. Breathe in deep from the diaphragm to support the note you play.
Posture
Make sure you are sitting up on the edge of the chair, feet flat on the floor, head in a normal resting position, and bring the instrument to you. Buzz your lips before bringing the mouthpiece to you. Keep the corners of your mouth pulled back. Elbows should be relaxed and slightly away from your body.
Cleaning Care
Valve oil, Mouthpiece
Empty condensation EVERY time you use your tuba or baritone/euphonium. Press down the valve while taking out the matching tube to empty the condensation. Put a brush through the mouthpiece regularly. Wipe down the instrument with a microfiber cloth and be aware of dents and how they may be caused.
Best Mouthpieces for Baritone/Euphonium
A quality mouthpiece makes it easier to play and sounds better.
Bach 6 1/2 AL - 11C, Bach 5G and Schilke 58 or 51 for those who need larger
Others: Result matters more than size
Bach 6 1/2 AL, Yamaha 48 - smaller
Bach 5G, Schilke 51D, Yamaha 51D- standard
Bach 4G, Denis Wick 4AL, Yamaha52,53 - larger - Denis Wick SM 3 - extra large
Baritone/EuphoniumWebsites
Tuba DSO Kids is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's site. It's mission is to provide attractive, child-friendly resources that introduce symphonic music, the orchestra and its instruments, and to encourage both adults and young people to explore the symphony orchestra.
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Brass Acoustics Trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba. this page explains the physics of brass instruments. For a background on acoustics click on Basics.
Listen to Baritone/Euphonium Players
Phineas Bower - Queensbury
Alex Mortimer - Manchester
David Childs
Dr. Brian Bowman
John Burroughs
Matthew White