Brassdad does Brass?

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:00 am

Steve Inman wrote: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.

Well, euphonium (and practically anything else) has a weenie sound compared to the tuba, but luckily for them this isn't the only standard by which we can judge an instrument.

A more interesting comparison is with the french horn. The alto horn will sit in the french horn section in band, and from what I've seen, about half the time they'll be playing parts written for Eb alto horn. The lady of the house was a fairly serious french horn player in high school, and resumed playing as an adult in a community band. She has a nice Holton double horn. I got her a $100 flea market Besson student alto for her birthday a year ago, and she has hardly played the horn since. Now she has a Yamaha 201. It has a sweet, clear, lyrical sound that blends well with other brass instruments. Another guy I play with, music educator type, says his alto has been too loud for any ensemble he has tried it on - like, over-balances a trumpet section all by itself - which I'm guessing must be an ill-suited mouthpiece, but if alto horns commonly have a weenie sound, it must be because of some weenie players, I think.

Mouthpieces run 17-19mm, which I believe is a little larger than trumpet. I'd like to play alto myself, after I get through learning to play the accordion. I don't suppose this is a good place to hear from those who do play, but there's some info to be found on Al's Tenor Horn Page.

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:30 pm

Well said, Tuck.

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 3:45 pm

Man, there are some great posts of encouragement here!

My youngest son played euph and trombone through H.S. (now he's a Dr). When he was playing, I would wish I still had a horn. But I was too busy at work - and shift work at that. Working shift work wouldn't allow me to join any comm bands. But when I retired 6 years ago, I got back into playing after 33 years of not playing. I found a horn, took some lessons and now play in 2 comm bands. I really enjoy making music.

Yes - I say go for it Brassdad (promise not to call you Shirley, LOL). It's a great experience.

oldbandnerd · Post by **oldbandnerd** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:29 pm

Don't forget that you can always join the Fredericksburg Community band . I have heard they are very good and the director is very good too . Hi name Is Chris Fens . He is a middle school band director in Chesterfield County and former director of the Chesterfield Community Band . !

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:40 pm

well, I'm ashamed to say that I didn't follow Blokes direction to the letter and missed out on my first opportunity for a Euph. But it did take me a year and a half to get my sons F.Schmidt tuba. Still on the prowl for a Euph, watchin web sites and that auction place. (watching 3 there).
I'm probably being foolish, but am trying to stay close to $300 as I can't read music or play the thing yet. May have to raise my sights.

twoconnguy · Post by **twoconnguy** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 11:47 am

How about this one?

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:16 pm

twoconnguy wrote:How about this one?

I've heard that one being "played". It's flat.

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:14 pm

My son and daughter had "the ear" and fine singing voices but no desire to hang with any music opportunity. They saw my struggling career and wanted something different.
My five year old grandson, however, is very musically inclined and I am determined not to crowd him in any way. We just play and sing together and have fun. He chose a tune from the Spiderman movie called "Hold On"as performed by Jet. A bit serious for my taste but he sings it well while playing tom-tom and I play rhythm guitar and sing third-under harmony. Big fun!

mTaUrBkA · Post by **mTaUrBkA** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:26 pm

I say go for it brassdad! Music's fun for everyone!(especially low brass). I know I'd get a kick out of it if my dad started playing any instrument, your son probably will too! Good Luck, and just remember to have fun with it!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 6:09 pm

I hear Marines are too "sissy" to try something that hard later in life. They have to leave it to the woman and children because they haven't got the smarts, will, or apptitude!

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:24 pm

Success....perhaps.
I am now in waiting for shipping of a euphonium.

Not a YEP nor a Holton, but if Olds does a good a job on their older euphs as I've heard about their older tubas, I should have a decent starter horn.
Better news is that I did stay below the desired $300. Of course that could mean that I made the wrong choice. Well, if so I won't know right away.
Here is the final page shot from ebay on it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1
Won't ask anyone to take it easy on my purchase....it would only be inviting to some.

Will post on the progress from time to time. My son's instructor has offered to give me lessons. Wonder if we can get a twofer one deal?

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:03 pm

Congrats! You have yourself a classic American baritone/euphonium. It should serve you well. Make sure you get the slides adjusted and lubed properly so you can pull for the usual suspects. The 5th harmonic may be a tad flat, your teacher can help you sort that out. Otherwise, enjoy!

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:26 pm

You go, guy!!!

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:34 pm

I GOT IT! I GOT IT!

Okay I got it on Friday. But I've been to the local "good" music store, bought a "Standards of Excellence Book1" and a nice tuner on Saturday. Sunday was my first practice. I was suprised at how easy it was for me to get tone. I was never able to do that right away on Michaels tuba.
Got to where I could hit Bb with very little effort, but tended to blow slightly flat but still had the "green light" showing on the tuner.

My wife said it sounded like the house ran through a time warp and it was 2003 again (when Michael started playing).

Well, Michael made some snide remarks when I would crack a note or skid all over the scale, but he would hold his tounge as I hit the Bd more regularly.

Today I decided to go for the second day of practice and work on Bb, C, and D. A whole lot tougher! I have to keep my embroucher the same and remember which valves to depress. I feel like a goofy kid (at my aget tht's not always a bad thing).

The great part is that after about 15 minutes, when I was begining to wonder if I could keep this up much longer, I heard a looooooooooong BBb coming from down stairs. Michael had decided that if dad could go for it, he would as well. I put in over an hour on the Olds, and my wife never told me to put the fool thing away. When I finished, Michel did at least another 10 minutes himself.

O told my wife that if I practiced about 5 hours a day, everyday, that in about 18 months I could catch up to Michael in playing...looks like he doesn't want that to happen.

Will let you know when I can string together enough for a recognizable tune.

But I will post well before that happens.

I'm happy that I did this.

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:57 pm

Sounds like you're doing great -- keep it up!

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:11 pm

I love it! Please post your ongoing progress from time to time for both you and your son.

JohnMCooper · Post by **JohnMCooper** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:02 pm

twoconnguy wrote:How about this one?

Hey, I just bought this really cool Euphonium off of Ebay! It looks great but it has this funny odor coming out of it. I think I should give it an acid bath. Another unusual thing is it has 3/8" NPT fitting on the side of the bell, can't figure that one out!

Brassdad · Post by **Brassdad** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:03 pm

Today Michael had his first lesson in about a month. Between the Tuba Competition at the Potomac Music Festival and Mark Thieles' USMC schedule we were back burnering it for a while.

Anyway I brought along the Olds for Mark to look at.
Too late for any kind of return, and I am happy with what I thought about it (as un educated as I am).
Michael had to tell Mark I had brought it whaile they wrapped up practice so when they emerged from the practice room I could tell something was up.
I brought the Olds in and turned it over to Mark. He blew quite a nice collection of notes. It may even have been more than a "warm up exercise" but I don't know. He pronounced it sound.

At leaast I know it is capable of playing actual musical notes and over a wide range.