|
Professional models have three top-action valves, played with the first three fingers of the right hand, plus a "compensating" fourth valve, generally found midway down the right side of the instrument, played with the left index finger; such an instrument is shown in the above picture. Beginner models often have only the three top-action valves, while some intermediate "student" models may have a fourth top-action valve, played with the fourth finger of the right hand. Compensating systems are expensive to build, and there is in general a substantial difference in price between compensating and non-compensating models. For a thorough discussion of the valves and the compensation system, see the article on [[brass instruments]].
[[Image:EuphoniumAndTuba wb.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A euphoniumEufonium (Lkiri) anddan tuba (Rkanan), the twodua lowestperalatan conicalkon-boreberongga instrumentsterendah]]
TheEufonium euphoniummemiliki hasjulat anyang extensive rangebesar, comfortablyselesa fromdari E2 tohingga aboutke sekitar D5 forbagi intermediatepemain playersperantaraan (usingmenggunakan [[scientificnotasi pitchpic notation]]saintifik). Di Intangan professionalprofesional handsini thisboleh maymengunjur extend fromdari B0 to as highsehingga assetinggi B{{music|♭}}5. Not Theterendah lowestboleh notesdidapati obtainablebergantung dependkepada ontatarajah theinjap valveperalatan. set-upKesemua of the instrument.peralatan All instruments are chromatic down to E2, but 4-valved instruments extend that down to at least C2. Non-compensating four-valved instruments suffer from intonation problems from E{{music|♭}}2 down to C2 and cannot produce the low B1; compensating instruments do not have such intonation problems and can play the low B-natural.<ref group="note">Thus, only on 4-valved, compensating instruments is a full chromatic scale from the pedal range up possible.</ref>
From B{{music|♭}}1 down lies the "pedal range", i.e. the fundamentals of the instrument's harmonic series. They are easily produced on the euphonium as compared to other brass instruments, and the extent of the range depends on the make of the instrument in exactly the same way as just described. Thus, on a compensating four-valved instrument, the lowest note possible is B0, sometimes called double pedal B, which is six ledger lines below the bass clef.
</ref>
<!----
Though the euphonium's fingerings are no different from those of the trumpet or tuba, beginning euphoniumists will likely experience significant problems with intonation, response, and range compared to other beginning brass players. In addition, it is very difficult for students, even of high-school age, to develop the rich sound characteristic of the euphonium, due partly to the instrument models used in schools and partly to the lack of awareness of good euphonium sound models.
Other highly regarded professional models found around the world are the [[Yamaha]] 642, the Hirsbrunner Standard, Exclusive, and the Stealth, the Sterling Virtuoso, and the [[Meinl-Weston]] 451 and 551.
An extremely popular intermediate-model horn for use in middle and high schools in the United States is the Yamaha YEP-321S, which has four valves and is non-compensating (though a removable 5th valve was offered as an option early on, but discontinued due to becoming more popular than their so-called "professional" instruments). Other similar models of euphonium are made by Holton, Bach, Jupiter, and King to name a few. Besson produces a four-valve non-compensating euphonium with the fourth valve on the side. This type of horn is a good transition for high school students who may perform on compensating horns in college.
=== Name recognition and misconceptions ===
In spite of the presence of "[[double bell euphonium]]s and big [[bassoon]]s" in "[[Seventy-six Trombones]]", the signature song from ''[[The Music Man]]'' (1957), many non-musician members of the general public in the United States do not recognize the name "euphonium" and confuse the instrument with the [[baritone horn]]. The euphonium and the baritone differ in that the bore size of the baritone horn is smaller than that of the euphonium, and the baritone is predominately cylindrical bore, whereas the euphonium is predominately conical bore. The two instruments are easily interchangeable to the player, with some modification of breath and embouchure, since the two have essentially identical range and fingering.<ref name="DW">{{cite web|last = Werden| first = David| title = Euphonium, Baritone, or ???| url = http://www.dwerden.com/eu-articles-bareuph.cfm| accessdate = 2008-01-29 }}</ref> The cylindrical baritone offers the brighter sound and the conical euphonium offers the mellower sound.
The so-called American baritone, featuring three valves on the front of the instrument and a curved, forward-pointing bell, was dominant in American school bands throughout most of the twentieth century, its weight, shape and configuration conforming to the needs of the marching band. While this instrument is in reality a conical-cylindrical bore hybrid, neither fully euphonium nor baritone, it was almost universally labeled a "baritone" by both band directors and composers, thus contributing to the confusion of terminology in the United States.
Several late 19th century music catalogs (such as Pepper and Lyon & Healy) sold a euphonium-like instrument called the "Bb Bass" (to distinguish it from the Eb and BBb bass). In these catalog drawings, the Bb Bass had thicker tubing than the baritone; both had 3 valves. Along the same lines, [[Drum and bugle corps (modern)|drum and bugle corps]] introduced the "Bass-baritone", and distinguished it from the baritone. The thicker tubing of the 3-valve Bb Bass allowed for production of strong false-tones, providing chromatic access to the pedal register.
== History and development ==
|
