Educational Materials

QUESTIONS

1)  What is a euphonium?

Derived from the Greek euphos meaning sweet sounding, the euphonium represents the tenor voice of the brass instrument family.  Similar to a baritone (the differences are outlined below), the euphonium projects a pleasing warm and mellow tone with a singing quality.

2) What technically makes a euphonium?

Well, it can silver or brass.  It can have 3, 4, or 5 valves.  3 is the most common for student instruments and 4 the most common for excellent student models and professional models.  The 5 valve models are generally special instruments such as saxhorns or double-belled euphoniums (more explanation below).  The euphonium is pitched in B-flat and if you uncoiled it, would measure approximately 9 feet long (that’s 3 meters for those of you on the metric system).

3)  What is the difference between the euphonium and the baritone?

Many people are confused about the real differences between the euphonium and the baritone horn.

Yamaha 621S Baritone Click for Larger Picture

Yamaha 842S Custom Euphonium Click for Larger Picture

Similarities:     
• Pitched in B-flat (about 9 feet long)                             
• Can have 3 or 4 valves
• Can be silver or brass


Differences:    
• A euphonium has a larger bore (diameter of the pipe) than the baritone
                               
• A real baritone horn has a much smaller body because the tubing
  is smaller and can be wrapped more compactly (see photos 1 & 2)
• A euphonium has a more conical bore/pipe shape
  (growing larger more quickly) than a baritone horn
• This conical shape gives the euphonium a more mellow tone
  than the baritone horn and the larger bore produces a
  larger, fuller tone quality