Euph = Greek Tuba?

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:07 am

The local Northside section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution advertises a weekend Euphonium Concert of 45 Euphoniums playing in perfect harmony. I guess in a big place like Atlanta you could find that many Euphs that play in harmony. Cassie's post proved it happened in Denton. Not that far fetched I guess.....The paper describes the Euphonium as the "Greek version of a Tuba". Yeah, sure! How can a major newspaper get something so wrong. The word was certainly coined from a Greek perspective, probably to satisfy someone's desire to seem intellectual, but a Greek Tuba, come on! Does anyone have any info on how or who named the Euphonium? Could be a good concert though. Wish I were playing. For the locals that are interested it's June 13th 6:30 PM at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, downtown Alpharetta.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:49 am

tbn.al wrote:The local Northside section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution advertises a weekend Euphonium Concert of 45 Euphoniums playing in perfect harmony.

If this happens, I believe it would be the very first time in history that a multitude of euphoniums played in perfect harmony.

lgb&dtuba · Post by **lgb&dtuba** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:03 am

Maybe they meant it was the Geek version of the tuba?

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:13 am

Does anyone have any info on how or who named the Euphonium?

Euphonium comes from the Greek word, "euphonious" \yoo-FOH-nee-uhs\, adjective: Pleasing or sweet in sound; smooth-sounding.

TubaRay wrote:If this happens, I believe it would be the very first time in history that a multitude of euphoniums played in perfect harmony

One could say the same thing about 45 tubas.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:47 am

Rick F wrote:

TubaRay wrote:If this happens, I believe it would be the very first time in history that a multitude of euphoniums played in perfect harmony
One could say the same thing about 45 tubas.

Probably with greater assurance of being correct.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:55 am

Okay, I'll jump in with the obvious.

"Euphonium" is, strictly speaking, not a Greek word--Greek words do not end in "ium". It's a macaronism--a Greek compound word that's had a Latin ending tacked on.

Perhaps the people who coined the term didn't like Greek music or thought the brass instrument would be confused with the bouzouki.

Historically, "euphonium" and "euphonion" (the Greek form of the word) has been used for other instruments, but it seems it stuck to the baby tuba. Personally, I like "Hellhorn" myself.

...and "Euphonion" does not mean "sweet sounding", but rather "(thing that) sounds good".

Chuck "tongue firmly planted in cheek"(G)

jonesbrass · Post by **jonesbrass** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:23 pm

As a resident of the Atlanta Metro area, I make it a point NOT to believe ANYTHING I read in the AJC.

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:25 pm

It looks like I might have really stepped in it. I have succeeded in getting two TX tuba players in direct opposition on the same subject. Does this mean a "duel to the death"? Mouthpieces at 20 paces? At least it seems I was on the right track with the name. Somebody from Eastern Europe or Wiemar or an as of yet unknown other place tried to make a cute name from Greek and Latin and who knows what. Any info as to who named this thing?

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:39 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:...It's a macaronism--a Greek compound word that's had a Latin ending tacked on.

...

Chuck "tongue firmly planted in cheek"(G)

What would a Latin word with a Greek ending be called? A laganonism? Example: "Internym," that quoted phrase between the names in your signature.

Rick "Internym goes here" Denney

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Euph = Greek Tuba?

Euph = Greek Tuba?

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