Our son, the EUPHONIUM player???

[Deb in IA]

DS is 10, in 5th grade. They start elementary band in 5th grade.

Last week, the band director tested all the interested kids on various instruments, to see which would be the best "fit", and sent a letter home with recommendations.

Our son was recommended for the . . . EUPHONIUM?????

We knew nothing about the euphonium, so we looked it up. It is described as "the tenor member of the TUBA family"

So, our 4 1/2 foot 70 pound son is going to be playing a TUBA???

The form also had "other choices" -- so we put down "percussion" as one choice (had to have 2 years of piano, our son has had 4), and saxophone. DH, who has played/sang in bands since high school, wanted to have DS play an instrument that "you could pull out and play at parties and be cool" -- like a sax, or a guitar. But DS really just wants to be in the band, more for socialization and the "club-ness" of it, I think.

Band director called us last night and had a long discussion with DH. He explained that he needed to fill a vacancy with the euphonium, and that our DS actually tested well on several instruments (as opposed to some kids who couldn't make any sound out of some). He did well with the mouthpiece on brass instruments, so the director recommended euphonium, which he notes may be a good choice as it requires reading in both the treble and bass clefs, and the trombone as a second choice.

So, I think DS is going to try the euphonium.

Any one know anything about euphoniums, or have a euphonium player???

 

[Galahad]

Euphoniums used to be called (and are similar to) "Baritone Horns" or just "Baritone". They won't get you very far at parties (but in reality, the girls see through the "pull out the guitar" routine pretty quickly ). They are roughly in the the range of a trombone. In terms of "serious" wind music, there is a great need to Euphonium and a well played Euphonuim is quite a stunning sound. He will be able to switch to other brass instruments pretty easily because the mouthpiece is "mid" sized. So if he wants to do trumpet or tronbone later, which might score higher on the "cool" factor he could.

Be careful of "band directors bearing advice" though. If they are looking to round out a brass section, their interest could lie mainly in getting a good marching band score in the future. Is DS "excited" about it? That's really all that matters at this stage.

 

[helenabear]

Oh no, get that out of your mind! The euphonium is no where near as big as a tuba!!!!! No way at all! They are closer to the trombone in sound... just a fancier baritone really!

I've played them (and baritone) quite a lot and there is nothing big or difficult about this instrument Actually I think it really is one of the easiest brass. Though I am shocked they'd give a euphonium to a 5th grader (cost alone) Good luck to him

 

[Barb D]

My son plays the euphonium, too. They need "low brass" players in the high school band.

 

[amid chaos]

DS has been playing the baritone horn since he was 9 and not a very big 9 year old either..LOL. He is 14 now. Taught himself the tenor sax this summer so now he plays both. My DS is very into playing jazz and the baritone horn just didn;t have great jazz parts, so that is where the sax comes in.

get your DS involved in a brass choir or ensemble. That is really where this instrument shines.

DD tried the baritone horn when she was 9 too..just wasnt her instrument so she switched to flute.

 

[sharbear]

Cool, I'm sure he'll be able to pick up chicks with that line, "Hey I can play a mean euphonium" LOL!

Crazy but true. There is a Euphonium and Tuba Festival. http://www.bluelake.org/falcone.html

Just think of the possibilities. Playing tuba in the marching band, they get to do cool moves with the tuba. Dotting the i in Script Ohio in the TBDBITL!

BTW, my DD met a couple of cute girls at camp who play the baritone. They were very popular with the boys!

 

[Galahad]

Cool, I'm sure he'll be able to pick up chicks with that line, "Hey I can play a mean euphonium" LOL!

Crazy but true. There is a Euphonium and Tuba Festival. http://www.bluelake.org/falcone.html

Just think of the possibilities. Playing tuba in the marching band, they get to do cool moves with the tuba. Dotting the i in Script Ohio in the TBDBITL!

BTW, my DD met a couple of cute girls at camp who play the baritone. They were very popular with the boys!

Blue Lake Music camps are GREAT! And a great value compared to many others.

Also, I dated a Tuba player for a while in college. It wasn't for long and it was 30 years ago but I seem to remember she had great breath support.

 

[MinnieFan]

My DS 14 has been playing the euphonium since he was in third grade. They do make a 3-valve starter instrument for younger kids. It was really quite small and he had no problem handling it at that age. We just bought him a full size 4 valve horn for his birthday since he is bigger now and can handle it.

It is really a beautiful instrument, I am sure your DS will enjoy it!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

My son plays trumpet and would love to play tuba. The tubas in the Univesity band are very cool.

 

[bananiem]

When played well the baritone can sound beautiful. I knew a few 'tones in my Hawkeye Marching Band days. I can't remember which high school your son will go to. If he goes to West he'll have my dh's college roomate and his cousin for directors. (Mr. Medd and Mr. Medd ) Their band always sounds better than the Hawkeye Marching Band at the homecoming parade. They're awesome instructors.

 

[sharbear]

Blue Lake Music camps are GREAT! And a great value compared to many others.

Also, I dated a Tuba player for a while in college. It wasn't for long and it was 30 years ago but I seem to remember she had great breath support.

My DD goes to Blue Lake. She loves it and can't wait to go back next year. Truely a great camp for kids of all abilities. If anyone if ever interested in a music camp I would be glad to tell them of my DD experience at Blue Lake.

LOL about the tuba player!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks for all the great advice, guys!!!!


Yes, Galahad, I think there is a bit of an "I NEED a EUPHONIUM!" in the director's rationale. But, he also explained that some other parents were pushing to get their kids into the percussion section, including some who claimed that their kid had taken snare drum lessons for 2 years . . .

Bottom line is that DS Mark really wants to do this. To the point of clasping his hands prayerfully, jumping up and down, and begging, "Please, please, PLEASE, can I be in band???" The director did agree that if Mark really wanted to do percussion, or sax, he could, but he would like to have him try euphonium. DH is still a bit worried about "cool" vs. "geeky" instruments, but I think he'll get over it.

Hmmm. Cost. Never having had a child in band, I was wondering . . . can you rent band instruments? May be cheaper than buying, at this point, especially if he doesn't stick with it.

bananiem, our kids go to Regina, so he won't have Mr. Medd and Mr. Medd . . . LOVE the names, though!!! Like that Newhart show -- "this is my brother Darryl . . . and my other brother Darryl . . ."

 

[Galahad]

Thanks for all the great advice, guys!!!!


Yes, Galahad, I think there is a bit of an "I NEED a EUPHONIUM!" in the director's rationale. But, he also explained that some other parents were pushing to get their kids into the percussion section, including some who claimed that their kid had taken snare drum lessons for 2 years . . .

Bottom line is that DS Mark really wants to do this. To the point of clasping his hands prayerfully, jumping up and down, and begging, "Please, please, PLEASE, can I be in band???" The director did agree that if Mark really wanted to do percussion, or sax, he could, but he would like to have him try euphonium. DH is still a bit worried about "cool" vs. "geeky" instruments, but I think he'll get over it.

Hmmm. Cost. Never having had a child in band, I was wondering . . . can you rent band instruments? May be cheaper than buying, at this point, especially if he doesn't stick with it.

bananiem, our kids go to Regina, so he won't have Mr. Medd and Mr. Medd . . . LOVE the names, though!!! Like that Newhart show -- "this is my brother Darryl . . . and my other brother Darryl . . ."

Deb,

Now granted, I'm a music guy, so I'm biased. But there really aren't any geeky instruments. In the long run, the little secret is that the "band geeks" really do get more dates . DS#1 gave in to the "geeky" thing and gave up violin at age 9 because kids made fun of him (if it wasn't that it would have been something else, but kids (and parents) don't generally accept that). He later took up Cello and became quite good but missed a lot of continuity. DS#2 is a violinist, is 15 and has girls spontaneously showing up at our front door wanting him to play music for them, etc. My primary instruments, then and now, are clarinet/oboe/sax - mostly pretty geeky. The only people who thought less of me for it turned out to be pretty big losers themselves.

As to the cost. Brass instruments can get a bit steep. You can rent them, usually by the school year. After about 2 years of it, it makes more sense to buy one - even a used one. The "rent-to-own" deals never work out in your favor. Your better off buying and selling it later. Even donating it to a school later for a tax deduction puts you ahead of the game over renting.

 

[Galahad]

P.S. I'm surprised DH is worried about the "geeky" instrument thing - having been around the School of Music in college I would have thought he wouldn't worry about that......

 

[Deb in IA]

P.S. I'm surprised DH is worried about the "geeky" instrument thing - having been around the School of Music in college I would have thought he wouldn't worry about that......

Ah, but you see, he was a vocalist, and according to the instrumentalists, they aren't REAL musicians anyway . . . they just sing, and can't really PLAY anything.

 

[Micca]

I think the fact your DS really wants to try this is very cool. Go with it and have fun. And please let us know how it goes.