Euphonium mouthpiece for a tuba player

[michael_glenn]

I am a tuba player, but will soon be adding euphonium as a double. What mouthpieces would you suggest? Going from a large cup like a PT-88, I think I probably want something with a wider diameter so it's more "tuba-like".

[Michael Bush]

http://www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalo ... s_id=16598

It will make a normal compensating euphonium default to the flat side, so you have to be aware of that when you're playing. But this mouthpiece was created on purpose for your situation.

[imperialbari]

The Yamaha Yeo signature bass trombone mouthpiece. The replica version is cheaper because it has no gold plating.

Klaus

[Donn]

No one would want my advice on the strength of my playing ability, but ... I've dabbled with baritonium and bass trombone, and started with the characteristic 51D and 1½G mouthpieces, and never felt any desire for a more tuba-mouthpiece-like rim. Some people have that same-rim issue, but it's easy to start with the assumption that you won't and see how it works for you.

It's great that you're picking the "hobophone"! Wonderful instrument.

[michael_glenn]

My euphonium came in the mail! It's a compensating 3+1 schiller. I got a large discount from a small dent. It plays well! But I do feel like the mouthpiece just isn't quite large enough. Even just a couple more millimeters would help.

[ken k]

1 1/2 G and Doug Yeo mouthpieces are huge mouthpieces for euphonium. (esp. the Yeo, which is comparable to a Shilke 60.) Yes there are players out there who use them but they are the exception and are going to be advanced, daily-practicers on the euph to have any kind of upper register accuracy, clarity and endurance.

I know the euph is basically a baritone tuba but really you have to approach it as a different instrument than the tuba. you need to focus the embouchure to the center more and maintain a smaller aperture which uses different muscles than the tuba embouchure (or perhaps uses the same muscles in a slighty different way?)

I regular play bass bone in addition to tuba and I use 1 1/4G on the bass bone, but I would never use a mouthpiece that big for euph. First of all, the euph can become a very "woofy" sounding horn due to its bore size. So a "smaller" mouthpiece can help focus the sound and aid articulations.That being said when I do play euph (which admittedly is not often) I do like a 3G. So if you are feeling constrained by a 6 1/2AL type piece you may want to try that. But also admittedly I have very little endurance and lousy upper range, which is why i do not play it often. (an occasional church job/solo, or short german band gig)

ken k

[j1007hc]

Hello,

I've had my friend's Schilke 51D for a while (another friend was borrowing it and asked me to return it). I popped it into my euphonium and fell in love with the sound! I threw some cash at my friend and didn't return it.

Perhaps more along the lines of the Roger Bobo Tenor Tuba mouthpiece, I heard some players like to use a special Doug Elliot configuration for euphonium (admittedly, I haven't tried it and do not know what it is).

Happy hunting!

[Donn]

1 1/2 G and Doug Yeo mouthpieces are huge mouthpieces for euphonium.

Since I seem to be the only one who mentioned a 1½G, let me clarify, that wasn't until the baritonium was gone. I used it for bass trombone, along with some other experiments, eventually found a Conn 3B that fit better. The only thing I remember using on the baritonium was the 51D.

[Michael Bush]

The best and most successful euphonium playing tubists use characteristic euphonium mouthpieces.

The euphonium is a different instrument and requires an appropriate mouthpiece. None of the goofy cheaters mouthpieces seem to be truly successful.

This, I am confident, is completely true. So if the goal is to become that good and that successful on the euphonium, this is definitely the way to go.

On the other hand, if the goal is to play the euphonium respectably once in a while, the tuba rim helps with making a consistent, solid, good-enough sound. (With tuba chops on a euph mouthpiece, the sound coming out the bell is airy and weak.)

So for those of us who aren't going to make the time commitment to become the best, most successful euphonium playing tubist, a hybrid mouthpiece like the Roger Bobo (!) Tenor is just what we need.

[tbn.al]

In my moving constantly from Euph to tuba to bass trombone to tenor trombone I have tried and failed on almost every cheater option there is. Generally they just don't work for me. My only exception is a Conn 30 Eb tuba mp with the shank cut down to fit my bass trombone. It really helps the bottom octave but limits the upper useable range to below middle C. I only use it when I am on the bottom part in trombone choir, so although it works great it is of limited value. IMHO, these cheaters are more trouble than they are worth. In the time you spend learning to make them sort of work you could just learn to use the correct mp with a resulting correct sound.

[Radar]

I'm regularly playing euphonium and tuba and I use a Conn Helberg on the tuba, and a Dennis Wick 4A on the Euphonium. This works for me but I can't guarantee it's the best fit for anyone else. Best advice I can give would be to go with a mouthpiece of appropriate size for each instrument. With adequate practice on both you'll find that it isn't that big a deal changing mouthpiece sizes.

[bydloman]

Back in the early 70's I had the Schilke company make me a copy of Arnold Jacobs euphonium mouthpiece. The mouthpiece has a slightly narrower rim than Mr. Jacobs Helleberg mouthpiece, and a VERY shallow cup. I have successfully used this mouthpiece on numerous occasions with the Boston Pops and a few times with the Utah Symphony. While the high range can be challenging, I find it less challenging than having to drastically switch from my CC mouthpiece to a standard euphonium mouthpiece. I plan on asking Jeff Parke to make a copy of this in the near future. If you (or anyone, for that matter) happens to ever be in the Salt Lake City area, you are welcome to give it a try.

[b.williams]

I use a Wick 1XL or a Wick 1 on tuba and a Wick 4AL or a Bach 3G on euphonium. Play a characteristic mouthpiece for each instrument. It might be difficult at first but you will be very glad you did.

[Michael Bush]

...Arnold Jacobs euphonium mouthpiece. The mouthpiece has a slightly narrower rim than Mr. Jacobs Helleberg mouthpiece, and a VERY shallow cup.

That's interesting. So Jacobs and Bobo are both in the minority caucus here.

[Donn]

Know of any easily accessed recordings of these two famous tuba players, playing euphonium? It would be interesting to hear how it worked out for them.

[Michael Bush]

Know of any easily accessed recordings of these two famous tuba players, playing euphonium? It would be interesting to hear how it worked out for them.

Perhaps bydloman could point us to a recording of himself playing on the copy?

[Uncle Buck]

That's interesting. So Jacobs and Bobo are both in the minority caucus here.

Jacobs, Bobo, and Gary Ofenloch. Plus, if I am remembering a 1990 conversation with him accurately, Jim Self.

[Donn]

OK, who's going to start the official list of tuba players who have won auditions on a tuba-sized euphonium mouthpiece?

[Michael Bush]

OK, who's going to start the official list of tuba players who have won auditions on a tuba-sized euphonium mouthpiece?

I don't know about that, but I do think someone with the necessary superpower should give bydloman the "professional" flair.

[J.c. Sherman]

The best and most successful euphonium playing tubists use characteristic euphonium mouthpieces.

The euphonium is a different instrument and requires an appropriate mouthpiece. None of the goofy cheaters mouthpieces seem to be truly successful.

This x 1 quadrillion.

If you need to play Euphonium as a piccolo tuba/emergency double and have no intention of playing seriously, the Yamaha Bobo TT signature mouthpiece does work. I have one, but to use my Euphonium as a minuscule tube on rare occasions, not as my Euph mouthpiece. My actual Euph 'piece is a Perantucci 2A.

J.c.S.