So I am a pretty experience euphonium player in college (hoping to only get better) and I plan to become a teacher one of these days when I actually graduate. I am currently starting my Sophomore year. I realized recently, even though I am pretty good at playing my instrument, I know next to nothing about its inner workings, mouthpiece differences, just all the technical stuff I should know... And I want to buy either my first good mouthpiece or first used euphonium... maybe you see what my problem is
I was wondering if i could get some advice on it all. I am using my colleges Yamaha euphonium (4-valved upright) currently, also their (not very deep) marching baritone mouthpiece.
Compensating/Non-Compensating?
Mouthpiece/Shank Size/Brand?
Finish (as in lacquer or silver-plated)?
And altogether what brand would be best in your opinion?
Have you asked the low brass professor at your current college? I would take the advice of someone (preferably a professional teacher) who can actually hear and see you play first if possible. There are so many decent brands of instruments and mouthpieces nowadays. Are you a music major? (your post doesn't really make this clear or not). If so, your teacher should be the absolute first place you ask and his or her opinion would be the one to trust.
Martin Cochran
Columbus State University
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Adams Euphonium Artist mceuph75@gmail.com" target="_blank
Yes, I am a Music Education Major, and I have asked my Professor, who recommended I ask for opinions on Tube net. I know you did not mean it, but I take some offense to that last post.
The less than Chinese $1000 Euphonium might be good if you decide to keep it for many years and are on a limited budget.
There are very few euphoniums that I would recommend you to buy sight-unseen. I have been quite happy with my YEP-642, that I bought off of eBay. they can go for a about $3000-3500 with shipping, but you might pickup up a 642 for around $2500 if you're patient. I've tried several 642s of the same vintage and they played close enough to be worth the risk.
Several other companies make great euphoniums, but I am not sure I would send more than $1000 for a horn that I don't know and might have problems reselling if it doesn't work for me.
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
I'm completely and utterly confused as to what could possibly be construed as offensive about my reply to your question. Your original post offered little to no specific information about your background or your major. As a professional teacher, I have had to undo several bad equipment choices that students have made based on anonymous recommendations on the internet (including this message board) when they did not ask me first. You asked for help. I gave my professional advice based on your vague question that included zero specific information about your major, your current abilities (including range, body type, lung capacity), your playing strengths and weaknesses, your playing goals, your ideal sound concept, or your embouchure. I consider all of these things very carefully when helping a student pick a euphonium, ESPECIALLY if they are a music major. As a music major your horn is one of your most important assets, it must fit your individual style and preferences. Any recommendation I would make would be a shot in the dark due to your very general question. Therefore, in an effort to help you and make sure that you are basing this very important decision on good, solid facts and tendencies in your playing, I asked in a very polite and completely appropriate manner if you had consulted a local professional.
Best of luck.
Martin Cochran
Columbus State University
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Adams Euphonium Artist mceuph75@gmail.com" target="_blank
I was offended that you thought I might not have asked my Professor for information first. This is the first time I have ever used this site. I apologize if I did not give enough information about myself right off the bat.
s511989 wrote:Yes, I am a Music Education Major, and I have asked my Professor, who recommended I ask for opinions on Tube net. I know you did not mean it, but I take some offense to that last post.
One of the top euphonium soloists, clinicians, and professors in the country takes the time to respond to your post and politely asks the FIRST question that ANY conscientious performer and instructor would ask when someone who is not one of his or her students solicits advice, and you're offended?
Congratulations.
You just killed your thread.
____________________
Don't take legal advice from a lawyer on the Internet. I'm a lawyer but I'm not your lawyer.
"So you play on a Yammy 4v ... what does your prof have? Do other euphonium players have their own instrument or are you the ONLY ONE? Is there a local music shop?"
My professor is a low brass instructor, but only really plays Tuba and Trombone (go figure, right?) There are probably about half a dozen decent euphonium players in my college and only one, a senior and older than me, has his own good mouthpieces, using the school's instrument. I am currently the only lesson taking euphonium player. There is Lanham's music store in St. Joeseph and we went and talked to them. For about $2500 I could get a new jupiter 570l, which is gradually looking more and more interesting, and it comes with case and mouthpiece.
I am confused by your posts as I find difficult to square a desire to be a music teacher studying at a third level institute who is proficient at playing their instrument not knowing by now what mouthpiece best suits them.
The name of your current mp should tell you it's not right for your euphonium.
To cheaply experiment with mouthpiece selection try some kellys.
To find a euphonium that suits you travel to a good music shop some have been mentioned by others bring a knowledgeable friend or teacher and a tuner.
Record yourself playing each instrument.
Be prepared to walk away empty handed.
It will take more than one visit.
s511989 wrote: For about $2500 I could get a new jupiter 570l, which is gradually looking more and more interesting, and it comes with case and mouthpiece.
I will recommend something that may seem counter intuitive to many people. Don't buy a new horn! For $2500 you can get a really good used euphonium.Heck, you might even find 2 horns for that price (There was YEP-321 for about $550 on this site several months ago)
The reason you shouldn't buy a new horn is that if you decide to quit playing, to buy a new horn or you have an unexpected financial problem you won't be able to get back what you invested in your horn. However, assuming you find a reasonably price used euphonium, you can probably resell it for what you paid for it. This might not seem important now, but if you peruse the for sale section here, you'll see a horn go up every couple months with somebody explaining that they need a down-payment on a house, they need to pay rent, etc...
I played on borrowed YEP-321 for 3 years. It wasn't the best horn for me but at least I didn't buy a horn prematurely and get screwed over when I tried to resell it.
You should wait until December, then head off to the Midwest Conference in Chicago. If you drive or bus in for one or two days, it shouldn't be too expensive. That way you can try many euphs and have a better idea of what to look for.
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
KiltieTuba wrote:
A non-compensated 3+1 - they make those? Who actually has bought a non-compensated 3+1 euphonium? The people I know either use four top action (or front action) or a compensated (3 or 4) euphonium.
A student of mine bought a Dillon 1095. He needed a four-valve horn but couldn't do the 4 valve inline due to a hand problem. It's a non-comp, and a great instrument for the price (actually, it would be a good instrument at double the price).
I'm going to take a stab at actually answering the questions in the original post:
I think if you are a serious player, a compensating euphonium with either a large or medium receiver is the way to go. The YEP-321 (which is what it sounds like you are playing now) is a great instrument but the smaller bell, smaller bore, and small receiver are all a little limiting. You find a lot of trombone and tuba players who double on euphonium use them -- as well as some euphonium players who want a smaller more baritone-like sound, but most of the serious euphonium players will use a compensating instrument.
As far as finish, it depends. Most euphonium players opt for the silver plated finish. If you want to look like everyone else, then that's the way to go. Silver can be a little more high maintenance than lacquer, but if you do take care of it it will last longer. Some people say that silver sounds better, but that's debatable. A modern epoxy lacquer finish is pretty darn durable and is very easy to clean.
For mouthpieces, the most popular mouthpieces for euphonium are the Schilke 51D or its derivatives such as the DEG BB1 or the Denis Wick 4AL or its derivatives from Alliance or the Wick Steven Mead series. It depends on the type of sound you are looking for, your individual physiology, and your embouchure type and strength. You'll likely just want to start somewhere close to what you're using now and try some new mouthpieces depending on which way you want to go with the sound and what you feel your strengths and weaknesses are with what you are using.
As far as popular models are concerned, it really depends on your taste, however I think it's generally felt that anything on the following list is a good bet. You really need to try some of them -- either go to a trade show where you can get a little time with a bunch of different models, or have a few different ones sent to you on approval.
Besson 2052/2051 "Prestige" (I believe new ones are great, old ones are inconsistent)
Besson 967/968 "Sovereign" ditto
Willson 2900
Yamaha YEP-642II (S) "Neo"
Yamaha YEP-642 (S)
Yamaha YEP-842S
Sterling Virtuoso
Miraphone 5050
Adams
Most of these should be available used in excellent condition for between $3000 and $4000 and new for between $6000 and $7500. Watch the for-sale ads on this board, on dwerden.com, ebay, and music stores like Dillon Music for potential used deals. There are some other brands that are "pro" instruments, but I won't recommend them personally because I really don't like them myself anywhere near as much as what's in the list above.
If all of the above options are too pricey, I'd look into one of the following, all of which I've tried and were pretty impressed with their quality and the way they played, although they are certainly a step below the ones I recommend above.
Jupiter 570
Eastman EEP526S
Sterling Royale
These should all be somewhere between $2000 and $3000 new. Most of them are pretty new on the market, so there aren't going to be too many used ones floating around.
I've never tried the $1000 Chinese instruments myself, but I'd be wary given what I'd heard about their quality control. Some people love them, some people complain about problems.
Our Chinese comp euph (older, bought used) rocks. Good intonation, better low range than a Besson, fun to play. I still prefer the freeblowing-ness, sound, and low range of a non comp, but this was a hell of a buy.
