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Earlier this week, while driving my son home from his tuba lesson, we were discussing the directions his instructor had given for him to do during the next week.
I reinforced the importance of what Mark had told him, complemented his playing, and again covered how he needed to put just a bit more effort into his practice. Tried to keep it all upbeat so he'd take it favorably and do as needed.
At one point I informed him how I was a bit jealous that he could play a musical instrument and that I could not. I pointed out that when I was his age, band was only taken by kids whose parents wanted them to take it, where he had the option of band and several other electives, and he had picked band. I even mentioned how it would be cool, if I had some training and ability, we could play stuff together.
At that point he said "You could always learn the euphonium."

Now I'm trying to decide if he was calling my bluff, or inviting me to share with him. I think it was the latter, and I do feel that I missed out by not learning to play some sort of instrument (besides clapping my hands).

Is it possible for a 47 year old to learn (with any speed) to play the euphonium? Would the euphonium be a bad choice as compared to another brass wind for playing with the tuba?

My son has assisted his teacher in working with the 6th and 7th grade tuba players in his school during the year...would he be able to help me out as well in getting to hit notes consistantly?

Should I just smile and be quiet next time we come home from practice?

Hey! Great! Go borrow or rent a euph and find out! Even if you don't do much, and having a son myself, the fact that you got into the trenches with him to try will do more for his interest, dedication and his relationship with you than about anything else you can think of.

I know a fellow who, on a whim, decided to learn euphonium. He was 68 years old when we picked it up, the first instrument he'd ever learned. He actually turned into a really fine euphonium player. I think euphonium is a great instrument to pick up, go for it!

Since you have come clean here, now we will have NO RESPECT FOR YOU ANY MORE (yeah, like once we had some... ) if you don't at least give it a try.

Yes, your son can help you, yes, it may even be bonding. Yes, 47 isn't nearly late enough to even consider that it's too late.

If you don't want to make a commitment, rent until you decide one way or the other. But if I can still make an effort with vertigo and double vision, then YOU'RE A SISSY IF YOU DON'T!

You don't and we'll be looking for you on "The View", or "American Idol"!!!

Euphonium is actually a fine choice. The physical demands are not as high as those on tuba, the embouchure not as difficult as trumpet, the partials are not as close as on horn, and you have valves not slide positions like trombone. Euphonium is also probably the easiest to get a "good" sound on. I have taught several sessions of "teacher band" where my fellow faculty tackle the playing of musical instruments for enrichment and understanding and six iterations of "momma band" where my band parents do just what you are contemplating. It is cool to play duets with your kid!

I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor.

Do it!

Adults can learn a musical instrument, it is something that you can enjoy for the rest of a long life. My father took up tuba at 55 and enjoyed playing for years.

A few things to consider.

As a tuba or euphonium player you will be welcomed into many community bands and church brass groups once you get the basics down. Once in a group you may be suprised how fast you get better.

Get someone to teach you (possibly your son) how to start correctly and avoid mistakes.

Most adult students know why they do something such as learning a musical instrument. This helps carry the day when you encounter difficulties.

Check out Baltimore Brass for used tubas and euphoniums, tell Dave why you are looking and what you want to do. He can point you to the right horn or be on the lookout if one comes into his shop.

There are often nice playing 3 valve E flat tubas that are not too expensive (although starting with four valves is better). If you get interested enough to get a four valve the old tuba can serve as a backup and for more dangerous duty (for a tuba) such as parades.

bottom line:

I am slightly older then you. In my work as a scientist I have had to learn many new things (even in the past few years) and a few new fields (new to me) of research, you are not too old!

Feel free to send me a PM.

best of luck!
Mark

Brassdad, DO IT !!!

I'm 55. Although I had prior musical training, I had never played a brass instrument until March 2004, when I first picked up a euphonium. Euphonium is great to start on and continue, and you will be warmly welcomed in just about any band. As already mentioned, you can learn to make a decent sound soon. Being a Steven Mead, Brian Bowman or Charlie Brighton is another thing but how many of us will really ever play at that level?

You will enjoy it a lot more if you can find a teacher who will guide you through the early phases of learning how to make a good sound and there is no substitute for that.

BTW, Dave F. at BBC lists a slightly used Weril H980 on his site. Check it out. Either that or a used Yamaha YEP-321 (widely available), will serve you well.

windshieldbug wrote:Since you have come clean here, now we will have NO RESPECT FOR YOU ANY MORE

Of course you know I do not believe that after the vicious personal attacks you made against me on the your momma and your daddy threads.

I'm trying to figure out how it would be harder for a bona fide grownup to learn what is fairly easy for a 12-year-old to learn.

Euphonium is a good high-early-yield instrument. It's relatively easy to play passably well compared with most others. Grownups have patience that kids don't.

Start with your son's teacher. I'll bet he can get you going in the right direction.

The used Weril euphonium would be perfect. If you later change your mind, you'll be able to sell it for a similar price, making the whole experiment free of charge.

But you will lose the ability to encourage more practice from your son. On the other hand, you will gain the ability to shame him into more practice by out-practicing him.

Rick "wondering why it took so long" Denney

Carroll wrote:Euphonium is actually a fine choice. The physical demands are not as high as those on tuba, the embouchure not as difficult as trumpet, the partials are not as close as on horn, and you have valves not slide positions like trombone. Euphonium is also probably the easiest to get a "good" sound on.

Alto horn is at least as easy, cheaper, and not so likely to run into bravura parts on the first day out.

Oh, come on Harold - BrassDad and the rest of the forum know your comment is tongue in cheek, all bad puns and double ententres intended.

harold wrote:In case you didn't notice, this is a tuba website - we only barely tolerate euphonium players and their brethern that play baritone.

Get yourself a nice King 2341 and play with the big boys.

Actually, Michael's 1920 Conn "beast" is with Hav right now being dressed up and having the valves replated. The concept was to sell her/it.....but.....

But that would be 2 BBb tubas as opposed to a Tuba/Euphonium combo.
Of course I could always take up the Trombone or Viola. They seem to be well respected here.

Stimpy -- you idiot! Go for it. Euph has a lovely sound. I wouldn't recommend alto horn as a previous post did -- as it isn't a "standard" instrument in the US, it has a weenie sound compared to euph and the mpc is only slightly smaller than a trumpet, requiring a bit more work to develop embouchure and range.

Besides -- euph is an octave higher than a BBb tuba, making it relatively easy to switch to that horn and figure out the notes, should you ever wish to.

(Or, if you learn treble clef music, you can switch to Eb bass tuba and the dots and lines and fingerings for the transposed treble clef euph part are in the same place as the dots and lines and fingerings are for an Eb tuba playing bass clef music -- a very easy change to make in this case.)

mtcw,

If you're lost in the desert, what do you aim for? A good viola player, a bad viola player or an oasis?



The bad viola player. The other two are only figments of your imagination.

windshieldbug wrote:If you're lost in the desert, what do you aim for? A good viola player, a bad viola player or an oasis?



The bad viola player. The other two are only figments of your imagination.

What's the last thing to go through a bugs mind when he hits a windshield at 60mph?

Brassdad wrote:What's the last thing to go through a bugs mind when he hits a windshield at 60mph?

His posterior

windshieldbug wrote:

Brassdad wrote:What's the last thing to go through a bugs mind when he hits a windshield at 60mph?

His posterior

As a Marine, that's not the word we normally use, but you are correct!

I have a tuba on Ebay right now, it closes on the 4th. It shouldn't sell for much over $350 judging by how much others like it have sold for recently.

Jump in, the water is fine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

Indeed. My father died too soon to do that, so I'm really looking forward to doing it one day with my son. Now, if he had only lived, we could have had a three generation Bugler's Holiday or such! Another reason to do it now, so you don't dwell on what might have beens or woulda coulda shouldas.

iiipopes wrote:Indeed. My father died too soon to do that, so I'm really looking forward to doing it one day with my son. Now, if he had only lived, we could have had a three generation Bugler's Holiday or such! Another reason to do it now, so you don't dwell on what might have beens or woulda coulda shouldas.

Some of my best memories are of myself, and Mom and Dad playing in a trio. Mom on piano, Dad on Cornet and me on baritone and later tuba.

My 4 year old daughter loves to take out the cornet I have laying around and toot away. That behavior will never be discouraged in my house, no matter how noisy.