[Trombone-l] Euphonium/Bass Bone Double

[Walter Barrett]

On Jan 21, 2009, at 4:27 PM, Galen Zinn wrote:

> I have a fair amount of experience playing a good Shires bass  
> trombone. I’m
> wondering about the possibility of doubling on euphonium. Is there a
> particular euphonium that would be chromatically equal to an inline
> Gb/Bb/F/D bass trombone?
>

Pretty much any compensating euph would be the equivalent of a bass  
trombone.



> Could I use a Doug Yeo Signature Yamaha bass trombone mouthpiece on  
> the
> euphonium?
>

I don't see why not. I myself use a Schilke 60. You'll need a strong  
high range. The big mouthpiece tends towards being flat up above the  
staff. I'm used to it now, after 25 or so years doing it, but if I  
were starting over again with this rim size, I'd either go custom, or  
get a Doug Elliott with the same rim, but shallower cup and tighter  
throat. That will help with pitch issues, plus give a more  
characteristic euph sound, if blending in a section is an issue.  
Pretty much any new euph takes a bass trombone shank, but older ones  
(and 1 or 2 new ones) come with the medium shank.




> I’m looking for any information I can find that will help me  
> accomplish a
> bass bone/euphonium double. Basically I’m wondering if it is mostly  
> just a
> matter of swapping the bass bone slide positions for valve  
> fingerings to do
> the euphonium double.
>
> Any recommendations for a particular euphonium brand that could be
> considered equal to or better than a Shires bass bone would be  
> appreciated.
>

The ones to check out would be Yamaha, Meinl-Weston, Mirafone,  
Kanstul, Willson, Hirsbrunner, Besson, Boosey & Hawkes, Courtois. If  
money is no object, Inderbinen.



> What about intonation problems?
>

Like I said, the high register from about G upwards tends towards flat  
with the big mouthpiece. Horns based on the classic Besson designs  
tend to be REALLY sharp on Eb, E, and F above the staff. If you adjust  
the slides to get those in tune, then the other notes with those  
valves will be flat. Newer designs don't play that sharp.

Be prepared to lip notes to pitch, instead of tweaking with the  
handslide. I think Bessons offer a kicker as an option, but if you  
pick a good horn and take the time to get used to it, it's not really  
necessary.

> Check out: http://www.richmatteson.com/philos.html, as an outstanding
> example of a former jazz euphoniumist.
>
> Galen Zinn





Walter Barrett

"Ask questions. Maybe it might lead to somethin’."
	-Yogi Berra

Alto, tenor, bass trombones
Bass trumpet, euphonium, tuba
Yamaha Artist/Clinician
http://www.walterbarrett.com