Euphonium Solos

[XtremeEuph]

Hey guys (and the ladies), do any of you know if there are any i guess could call it "intermediate" euphonium solo's out there. I have never performed a solo before and would like to enter the local festival. Unnacompanied would be easier IMO but accompanyment is fine. I havent gone to the music store and looked for anything yet but i was curious to see if any of u had any knowledge of high school level solos. (im a sophomore, 4 years exp.)

Also, do you have to buy the accompanyment seperate?? or is it written in.........how would you go about legally reading the music lol.

[Ryan_Beucke]

There are a ton of solos and books of solos for you to choose from. Look for trombone solos, you'll get a lot more choices. They have grade levels too on them. If you get a single solo, it usually comes with piano accompaniment seperate. If it's a book of solos, you usually get just the solo parts and you can buy the accomp. from the same store. I would suggest one with accompaniment, it's easier than unnacompanied. The piano player will know to follow you. It's actually much harder for a beginner to play an unnacompanied piece convincingly.

[XtremeEuph]

How is that, i really dont understand lol.................what about pauses and rallentandos and ritardandos and your own pace?!?! wouldnt it just make it 5 times harder to go at the exact same tempo etc. with a piano.

[Ryan_Beucke]

Yes and no. The piano will follow you (better than you'd think), and will make the ultimate music sound fuller. It's true that when you're playing completely solo you have more freedom to paint your own picture, but it's also much more responsibility. I feel that you shouldn't be choosing unnacompanied because it's easier, but because you can do more with it. It's easier to make it not sound good, pretty much.

I'm not trying to discourage you from choosing an unacomp. piece, but just trying to point out that it's harder to play in tune, keep time, and give energy (keep it from getting boring).

[Alex F]

Working with a pianist takes some skill and effort on the part of the pianist and the soloist. Not all pianists are good accompanists.

Both soloist and accompanist need to work together.

I echo Ryan's advice about looking for trombone solos, which often lie well for euphonium. Hickey's music has a wide selection, www.hickeys.com, and I'm sure other publishers do as well. Cello solos will also work well and there are many in print.

From your other posts, it does not appear you have a private teacher. If I'm wrong, that person is a good source for music recommendations. Absent, or in addition to that, check with your band director or with members of the trombone or (orchestra) cello sections.

[XtremeEuph]

K thanks alot i have quite a bit of time to think about it, find, and practice music but i wont have luck finding orchestral or EVEN trombones around here lmao................I also had another question that i am not sure you have the answer to but here it is:

The people at this festival obviously want and/or require you to play only legally purchased pieces as written but i found this website (JamesGrantmusic.com) and he writes music for free, but only would like a form saying when you performed his music. The only problem is...........i cant get an actual copy except printing it because its "free"...........and i dont think you can order it. I was thinking of playing the song "Stuff" (unnacompanied) for one of my pieces because it sounds entertaining, is fun, and easier than it looks.