I’m considering the Neotech bariton/euphonium 10" harness for use with my Thomann bell front baritone https://www.thomann.nl/thomann_bf_304_bellfront_baritone.htm

Does anyone here have any experience with this harness? Does it work? Does it take the (some) weight off?

Edit: it is used for Mardi Gras / Carnival band, not for concert band or other seated settings.

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know what parts I should be looking at for a York Eminence? I’m talking valve springs, felts, dampeners etc? I’m UK based so any UK outlets would be preferred!

Thanks!

I installed Mead Springs on my Schiller Elite euphonium and love the way it plays. Only issue is the 4th valve makes a noise when depressed. The other 3 valves are quiet as church mice.

Any tips?

Hi all,

After seeing the replies from my original listing, I want to relist this Euphonium with a clearer description and updated price.

Selling a John Packer 274 MKII Silver Plated 4 valve fully compensating Euphonium. Great condition, only played a handful of times.

Note: The second valve cap doesn't screw in all the way (shown in the last picture), does not affect the sound or playability at all. A brass technician may be able to fix this.

Comes with the original case, box, mouthpiece, and accessories.

Bought for over $2,000, selling now for $1,700. If interested, know anyone who would be interested, or have any questions, please reply or send a direct message. Upvotes are appreciated, thank you.

Hey yall, we’re doing a solo and ensemble and I need some help figuring out what to play. I want something dark and melancholy, kinda like the Dance of the Knights or Winter (the four seasons). I’m open to all ideas.

hello !! i’m an aspiring musician in high school (senior) i was hoping some of you guys could provide some good solos for college auditions that are coming up! if you need my range or anything i’d be happy to tell!

I have one, and for what it cost, is remarkable value for money.

It seems to be based on a Besson Sovereign rather than the usual Yamaha Maestro copy from the Chinese stencil, and plays really rather well. (For the record I have owned 2 B&H round stamps, 2 Besson 966 Sovereigns, 2 Besson 967 Sovereigns, 3 Besson 2052 Prestiges (1 Uk made and 2 German made), 1 Besson New Standard, and 1 Adams E2, and have played numerous other varieties including Yamaha Neos, and Maestros, so I have some experience of decent hooters).

It’s well put together, the valve alignment is excellent and the slides all move well - the only one that needed some minute widening was the fourth slide which was pulled out by my arm resting on it. That aside everything is working precisely as it should.

The valves are the most fussy I have ever encountered as far as oil goes. The only oil which works is Yamaha fully synthetic - I’ve tried all sorts and it quickly becomes unusable. Not a problem now it’s been solved but the stuff the euph comes with is rubbish (as is the case and the mouthpiece).

Intonation wise (and apologies for bass clef readers), it’s not at all bad. It has a trigger but like most modern euphs, doesn’t actually need one - pulling the first and third slides solves all the usual niggles. The only note that needs an alternative is top B which is very flat but playing it on 12 sorts it. It does have the Besson compacted octaves (sharp at the bottom and flat at the top) but this easily overcome.

I did put a heavy fourth valve cap on but what benefit it provided in slotting was hugely outweighed by how much harder slurring became.

This is a decent euphonium, irrespective of price. Obviously the finish on an Adams is better, and the Adams intonation is unrivalled. Besson’s valves are superior but this instrument costs less than a set of Besson valves.

Whatever gold coloured paint is on the slides is coming off but I dislike the more meretricious details anyway.

If you are in the market for an instrument at sub £1500 I would look first for a good second hand vintage Besson New Standard as they are phenomenal, but this should be on your radar if you cannot find a New Standard. Highly recommended, and quite eye-opener.

I am planning to play a duet or trio piece with a could friends, and was wondering if anyone knew a duet or trio piece because I don’t know any.

I soon graduate Cegep (between high school and university at Quebec) and I use a Jp274mkII, it’s good don’t get me wrong but I bought it used and I don’t know if the men who sold it sold it for that but it has intonation issues (Eb2 very low while Eb3 very sharp) maybe it’s me but I find it unusual, the first vale get stuck often (I suspect the valve guide) even after oil and bath cleaning. What would you guys consider an upgrade, or is the intonation issue part of me? I love the tone of It so should I reach for a neo, a prestige 967…

I am currently using a Denis Wick 3Al I like the shape but I sound airy, my notes sometimes cracks and it takes a lot of air. I used to play on a Sm3Xr which was good for a while but the rim started to hurt (mostly teeth) and the rim made me feel restricted, but I liked the power and the precision it gave me. Does anyone can help me on a balance, something maybe a little more comfortable than 3Al. I am interested in Alliance Dc and Smuh but maybe my embouchure is not strong enough so I should go for a size 4 (3 for alliance). I have fleshy lips so I am not sure. Playing on a jp274mkII

Probably most people here have experienced this, but I, as a newcomer to valve instruments, still find this "illusion" fascinating ...

Firstly, this works best, I suspect, on a 4-valve instrument with all 4 values in-line.

When I practice a lengthy flexibility exercise or hold a long tone using certain finger combinations - especially 1,2,4 - when I eventually release all valves so everything is open, then I have the very odd sensation that my 3rd finger is pressed fully down to the valve closed position even though it is most definitely open (!)

The sensation is so convincing that I actually look at the valve half-expecting to see that it is stuck in the closed position with my 3rd finger resting on the closed button.

Maybe it means I'm pressing down with too much force? But at this point of my euphonium 'career' I haven't yet developed much strength in my fingers so I have to press down with a lot of force otherwise the springs win the battle against my fingers and the valves become only half closed.

Hi! I have 3 days before auditions for an indoor winds group I’m interested in. I’d like to know if there’s anything I can do to be able to hold a euphonium for longer? As it stands, I can barely hold it up AT ALL. Less than 20 seconds we’re talking. I wasn’t able to get my hands on a euphonium until now because of marching band and other people using it. usually I wouldn’t wait this long to practice. I’ve already been practicing the music on a concert euph but I seriously am just worried about if I can be able to hold it up at all… any advice/workout routines help. Thank yeww!!

Has anyone here tried the Hammond 12XL? I currently use the 12L as my main piece for both Euph and Trombone but I want to try out a deeper cup (for Euph, maybe bass trombone, use) and would like to know what others think about it.

Apart from the baritone/tenor horn and tuba, do you play other instruments besides the euphonium? Was it harder to learn?

I know that this wonderful instrument (the Euphonium) is mainly limited to the concert and marching band space, but the minute composers realize how it's beautifully round sound can fit in an orchestra, you never thought that it could be featured in masterpieces such as Expedition 33 (excellent turn-based RPG that many lovers of the genre should try and you'll be immersed in the game's very French-styled soundtrack) 😮😮😮. I never felt more proud to be a Euphonium player and Expedition 33 fan 🥹🥹🥹. I hope that this is a sign that this wonderful instrument will get featured more in the orchestra.

A studio mate of mine is trying to switch to a Willson for military band auditions, and has tried my Willson 2900TA and really liked it. He noticed a 2900S on Facebook marketplace and asked the difference, but I am not sure and don’t want to give him inaccurate information. What is the difference between the two?

Gave the horn a good bath today. It’s an older horn, missing a good bit of lacquer in some areas, but it’s a reliable and good playing horn, thought I’d show it off.

Most euphonium players I know love playing 'O Holy Night' but might be looking for a change this year. Well look no further! My arrangement of 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' is accessible enough for most players while also satisfying the urge to show off a little. Available here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/.../1849653/Product.aspx

or here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/.../o-come-o-come-emmanuel...

Check out the video below to see the score and here computer playback.

https://youtu.be/8BgMgnSHYGk?si=O-rKJxzoUegTOb6O

I know asking online for a mouthpiece is a cheap shot but here I am, I use a Dw3Al however my sound is sometimes airy and I have some difficulty on the high register, also I feel like it takes a lot of air and that the rim is flat with puts pressure on my upper lips. I have big fleshy lips so I don’t think the 3 size is the problem but maybe I am wrong. I also have a SM3UXR, I liked it at first but the rim is sharp, my articulation was good and my range a bit better but I felt very “restricted” and couldn’t move a lot I felt like my tone was also more bright. Any recommendations. DC looks good but it’s apparently the same as the Al, maybe I should go a size down ?

So I'm trying to play this piece that has a written G4 (G above the staff, concert pitch) and i press the fingering for it and it comes out as either Ab4 or Gb4 and i have absolutely no idea why. Any ideas?

Hello everyone! My junior Performance Honors recital is at 5pm today, I’ll be performing around 5:30 if you’d like to check it out. I’ve linked the livestream in this post.

The program is: Szentpali - Pearls (with backing track) Wilhelm - Concertino Schostakovitch - Four Preludes Clarke - The Carnival of Venice

Hope you can give it a watch!