Euphonium Tones

[sprithammereuph]

There are so many unique euph sounds out there, I have always wondered which I want to emulate. Personally, I love Dr. Bowman and Mead's sound. I try to mix the two together. Which do you prefer as a euphonium player?

[sprithammereuph]

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[ufoneum]

I would have to agree w/ Mark about how you will ultimately sound like your teacher. That is why we all need to surround ourselves with the best possible people that we can.

For my money - Dr. Bowman and Steven Mead are two of the best.

Another euphonium player that I really dig his sound is Derrick Kane. A Salvationist from England, Derrick has two CD's out of classic Salvation Army solos. If you don't have these - you need to buy them. One of the solo album also comes with a book of sheet music to purchase.

There are so many great players out there - any one of them is a superb model for any younger player.

- Pat Stuckemeyer

[JTJ]

I am sure there are as many opinions as there are people.

Here's mine.

I like the British sound, as developed by the brass banders, best. Part of it is the tonal tradition, the sound they have developed. And the other part, the quality of their musicianship, is, I think, created by the Darwinian process by which their best players get to the top, their skills honed by constant competition, especially the artistic, soloistic side of their play. There is an extraordinary level of skill among the best British players. Almost nothing in the US can come close to that -- read Douglas Yeo's comments on his web site abut playing in front of the Black Dyke Band.

Lately, I have found myself listening over and over to another English player, Morgan Griffiths. One cut especially illustrates this brass band magic: the slow beginning to Fernie's Introduction & Allegro on Griffith's "Voice of the Euphonium" CD. Simple music, very melodic, bordering on schmaltz. Not particularly sophisticated. But the playing is extraordinary and moving -- it stops conversation -- when I put the CD on that track.

On to Mead. He is, I think, a unique player, who has moved beyond the band scene. He is working in a different realm, that of a world class artist who is helping define the sound and range of an instrument, which no other euphonium player has ever done.

Yes, the teacher will play a huge role in determining the sound. But we are lucky to be living in a golden age of euphonium playing, with some great artists available on CD, who are there for us to listen and learn from their art.

John

[sprithammereuph]

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