Double Belled Euphoniums

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:55 pm

Harold, do you mean the Conn with 5 front-action valves? That's not necessarily all that late. I've got one of those with a SN of 110xxx, which puts it at 1923. I've heard that using the left hand is one way to operate that valve, unless you've got hands like this guy:

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:15 pm

Teach that man to play F tuba!

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:32 pm

DIdn't Simone Mantia play a 5 valve Conn? Maybe there's an old filmclip of him somewhere...

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 11:13 pm

Yes he did, one being the one in my sig, and I've never had any luck at all changing it while playing UNLESS I use my left hand. This horn was built in 1907, but I don't see how using 5 piston valves could have changed any. I have never been aware of any specific double-bell method. But yes, there were many recordings that Mantia made, some have been reissued on CD. One is here

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:10 am

I'm not a euphonium player, but years ago the band I played in owned a bunch of late Conn twin bells with five front valves. When I tried them, I just used my right hand on the valves. When I used the smaller bell (fifth valve down), I didn't play low enough to need to fourth valve. Yes, the pinky finger feels awkward, but those valves are so much smaller and closer together than tuba valves. Think of the fourth and fifth valves as an either/or thing.

It didn't occur to me to use my left hand. I think it would have been more awkward than switching my pinky finger from the fourth to the fifth valve.

I would not be surprised if there were competing opinions and practices -- perhaps like the pistons versus rotors, or 3+1 versus 4 in line.

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:23 am

But, why were there 2 bells anyway?

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:31 am

ebay has one up for auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Conn-30-I-5 ... dZViewItem
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tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 10:37 am

Brassdad wrote:But, why were there 2 bells anyway?

The larger (normal) bell has the usual mellow sound of a euph. The smaller bell is more trebly or trombone sounding.
It would be such a hoot to solo on one of these. I got to get my grubby hands on one-even for a little while.

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:58 am

Brassdad wrote:ebay has one up for auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Conn-30-I-5 ... dZViewItem

Techinally, that's only a single-bell euphonium

It's like having an echo-cornet, but without having to ward off all the bats! (sounding like you're playing in a cave)

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:35 pm

Steve McGovern wrote:
Brassdad wrote:But, why were there 2 bells anyway?

http://www.dwerden.com/blog3/month_blogs.cfm?m=7&y=2005 wrote:The famous euphonium soloist Arthur Lehman was once using a double-bell euphonium while in the Marine Band. He was asked by an onlooker what the small bell was for? Arthur said "We use it to hold our white gloves when we are not wearing them."

yep, sounds like a Marine.