Euphonium Question, oh no!

[Tom]

That's an interesting idea, I've never heard of one of those, I'm sure they'd be relatively hard to find, I would think.

Readily available...about $75 brand new at the big box outlets. Tuba-ish rim and cup width on a euphonium-ish cup and shank.

Maybe they work good on the Alexander 151 tenor tuba when played by a tuba player (exactly what it was designed for) but for everything else, it just kinda works-ish and that there are better options - such as "real" euphonium mouthpieces.

At one time I owned the three (or was it four?) prototypes of the Bobo Tenor tuba mouthpiece and have also had a production version. As I mentioned, I quickly learned that far better results were obtained from playing euphonium with a real euphonium mouthpiece rather than the scaled down tuba mouthpiece, so I sold them all (on tubenet, I think) to someone else. No idea where they are these days.

Tom "noting that is a lot of "-ish" B.

[TubaZac2012]

I like the idea of the expensive one, it sounds the best.

[Bob Kolada]

I like big mouthpieces on non comp euphs but they absolutely do not work for me on compensating euphoniums- the low range gets way too chunky and awkward.

[TubaZac2012]

I like big mouthpieces on non comp euphs but they absolutely do not work for me on compensating euphoniums- the low range gets way too chunky and awkward.

What works well? The horn I'll be getting is a compensating Mack Brass.

[mceuph]

Hey Zac,

I've got a mint condition Alliance DC2 (David Childs model) that I'm looking to sell. Was a little big for me, might work really well for you. It's basically the equivalent of a Bach 3 in size. If you're interested in trying it shoot me an email.

[MikeW]

Do they make C euphoniums ?

From a recent thread:
There was a thread on Dave Werden's forum last year that was quite confused for a while. It started with someone asking about the general lack of availability of C euphoniums. Virtually everyone interpreted this as a question about whether (Bb) Euphoniums are non-transposing (at least in bass cleff as normally scored). But it turns out that in at least certain portions of the world (apparently Spain and Portugal), C -- rather than Bb -- euphoniums are widely used.

This raises the question of why the demographics of C euphoniums is so wildly different from the demographics of C tubas since (after all) euphoniums are just little tubas. It seems to make a lot of the rational about being able to play more easily in certain keys, etc. appear to be bogus.

I have also seen a discussion somewhere about a 5-valved "upright (as opposed to oval) Kaiser Baritone" that is used in Germany as a tenor tuba - sounds a lot like a non-compensating rotary-valved Euphonium(ish)

[TubaZac2012]

Good to know. I don't really think a C euph would sound all that great, thinking about it on my lunch break today.

[ghmerrill]

When I'm playing my Mack Brass euph as a euphonium, I use my Doug Elliott mouthpiece (see below). This is SLIGHTLY smaller than a Wick 3AL. When I use my euph as a tenor (or "high") tuba or a bass trombone, I use the Wick 3AL.

While I love the Schilke mouthpieces (for tuba or bass trombone), using the Schilke 60 on a euphonium has in my experience resulted in playing uniformly about 20 cents flat. They just aren't good euph mouthpieces.

If you're a tuba player, you might start with the 3AL and then think about going a bit smaller to cover real euph parts (though it can be done with the 3AL and some people do this). The 51D, in my experience, is WAY too small.

[TubaZac2012]

When I'm playing my Mack Brass euph as a euphonium, I use my Doug Elliott mouthpiece (see below). This is SLIGHTLY smaller than a Wick 3AL. When I use my euph as a tenor (or "high") tuba or a bass trombone, I use the Wick 3AL.

While I love the Schilke mouthpieces (for tuba or bass trombone), using the Schilke 60 on a euphonium has in my experience resulted in playing uniformly about 20 cents flat. They just aren't good euph mouthpieces.

If you're a tuba player, you might start with the 3AL and then think about going a bit smaller to cover real euph parts (though it can be done with the 3AL and some people do this). The 51D, in my experience, is WAY too small.

Very helpful, thank you!

[bort]

How about a 6/4 euphonium?

[TubaZac2012]

How about a 6/4 euphonium?

I like your enthusiasm.

[Doug Elliott]

I have MANY options available with larger rims that may be easier to double on, and cups that are appropriate for euphonium, actually play well and won't cause pitch problems.

[eupho]

As a euphonium major and specialist for 46 years I have played a menagerie of mouthpieces. Here is a chronological list:

Bach 61/2 AL
Wick heavy top 4AY
Schilke 51D
Schilke 52E2
Mead 3.5
Bowman BB1
G&W Carbonaria
G&W E1
Alliance 2
Mead Ultra 3
Mead Ultra 4

Having played mouthpiece roulette like everyone else, I keep coming back to the Carbonaria. It's a big, heavy mouthpiece and is really confortable for me. The E1 and Ultra 3 have a bit more clarity for solo work.

[Radar]

What seems to be working for me:
Euphonium: Dennis Wick 4AY (works really well on my Yamaha YEP-321)
Bass Bone: Doug Yeo Signature model (available without the gold plated for much less money)
Tuba: Conn Helleberg

[PaulMaybery]

I tend to agree with John in Atlanta

For economy and just a fine adult euph mp, that which came with my Mack was a pleasant surprise. I hove no idea if it is a clone or what. Usually we think of using factory mps for paperweights. I popped for the Carbonaria and a SM 3, both which I find to be excellent pieces. I came from a 51D which after using a 6 1/2AL seemed large, but then after the Carbonaria seems too small. I will often rotate back and forth with Toms MP on the Mack and then usually forget that I have it in the horn and will play just fine.

Since I just love stainless though, the choice has been made for the Carbonaria.

On a side note, I was fooling around with an antique 19th-century piece in my junk box. It is from an old Lehnert - German style trombone. The trombone receiver is huge enough to take an American shank tuba mp and the shank on the MP is correspondingly huge. The MP is unusual, a nice almost euph - semi cone shape, pretty deep, but not an enormous throat. Smaller than the SM3 and the Carbonaria. It does fit into my large shank euph, not as far in as normal, but it does fit.
But here is the 'kicker." It fits my Am shank F Tuba and makes a perfect piece for "Bydlo" It does not sound like a euph or Bass Trombone piece in a tuba, but more like a tuba. It is well over 100 years old and I would love it in stainless.
The line up: GW Carbonara, Lehnert, GW Alan Baer MMVI
Notice the shank on the Lehnert compared to the Baer.