Editing Euphonium (section)

== Construction and general characteristics ==

[[File:EuphoniumAndTuba wb.jpg|thumb|A euphonium (left) and tuba (right), the two lowest conical-bore instruments]]
The euphonium, like the tenor trombone, is pitched in concert B♭. For a valved brass instrument like the euphonium, this means that when no [[valve]]s are in use the instrument will produce partials of the B♭ [[Harmonic series (music)|harmonic series]].

Professional models have three top-action valves, played with the first three fingers of the right hand, plus a fourth valve, generally found midway down the right side of the instrument, played with the left index or middle finger; such an instrument is shown at the top of this page. Such models also have compensating "knuckles" to resolve intonation issues below E<sub>2</sub>. 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]].

As with the other conical-bore instruments like the [[flugelhorn]], [[French horn|horn]], and [[tuba]], the euphonium's tubing (excepting the tubing in the valve section, which is necessarily cylindrical) gradually increases in diameter throughout its length, resulting in a softer, gentler tone compared to cylindrical-bore instruments such as the [[trumpet]] or [[trombone]]. While a truly characteristic euphonium sound is rather hard to define precisely, most players would agree that an ideal sound is dark, rich, warm, and velvety, with virtually no hardness to it. This also has to do with the different models preferred by British and American players.<ref name="Harvard Dictionary of Music">{{Cite book|last=Apel |first=Willi|date=1972|title=Harvard Dictionary of Music|pages=105–110|location=Cambridge|publisher=Belknap Imprint of [[Harvard University Press]]|isbn=9780674375017|oclc=21452|url=https://archive.org/details/harvarddictionar0000apel/page/104/mode/2up}}</ref>

=== Notation and range ===

In [[British brass band]]s, all instruments except the [[bass trombone]] are [[transposing instrument]]s using the [[treble clef]] notation popularized in France by instrument maker [[Adolphe Sax]] for his families of instruments. Thus the euphonium, along with the tenor trombones and [[baritone horn|baritones]], are notated as B♭ instruments in treble clef sounding a major ninth lower than written, like the [[tenor saxophone]] and [[bass clarinet]].<ref name="Grove" />

In orchestral, [[concert band]], and US [[military band]] music, the euphonium is generally written at [[concert pitch]] in the [[bass clef]], treating the euphonium as a non-transposing instrument like the [[trombone]], with high passages often written in [[tenor clef]]. [[Concert band]] music often provides the euphonium parts in both bass and B♭ treble clef, to accommodate players from either background. In continental European band music, parts for the euphonium may also be written in transposing bass clef in B♭, sounding a major second lower than written.<ref name="Grove" />

{{Image frame |align=center |innerstyle=background:white;padding:0.5em;
  |caption = Range of the modern euphonium <br> (''4v'' indicates notes requiring a compensating instrument with four valves)
  |content = <score lang="lilypond"> {
    \new Staff \with { \omit Score.TimeSignature }
    \clef bass \key c \major \cadenzaOn \omit Stem
    \tweak font-size #-2 b,,,4 \finger \markup \text "4v" ^ "pedals"
    \glissando
    \tweak font-size #-2 ees,,4
    e,,1 \glissando bes,,1
    \bar "|"
    \tweak font-size #-2 b,,4 \finger \markup \text "4v"
    \glissando
    \tweak font-size #-2 ees,4
    e,1 \glissando f' \tweak font-size #-2 c''4 \finger \markup \text "poss."
  }</score>
}}
The euphonium has a large range of at least four octaves. Intermediate players can access a range from E<sub>2</sub> to about F<sub>4</sub>, and in professional hands this extends from B<sub>0</sub> up to at least C<sub>5</sub> and as high as B♭<sub>5</sub>.{{sfn|Adler-McKean|2020|p=}} The upper range is limited only by the fitness of the players' [[embouchure]], but a working ''[[tessitura]]'' from existing repertoire tops out around C<sub>5</sub>.{{sfn|Herbert|Myers|Wallace|2019|p=484|loc=Appendix 2: The Ranges of Labrosones}}

The lowest notes obtainable depend on the valve set-up of the instrument. All instruments are chromatic down to E<sub>2</sub>, but four-valved instruments extend that down to at least C<sub>2</sub>. Non-compensating four-valved instruments suffer from intonation problems from E♭<sub>2</sub> down to C<sub>2</sub> and cannot produce the low B<sub>1</sub>; compensating instruments do not have such intonation problems and can play the low B<sub>1</sub>.<ref group="note">Thus, only on four-valved, compensating instruments is a full chromatic scale from the pedal range up possible.</ref> Although less satisfactory, a good player can provide these notes on a three-valve instrument using [[Falset (music)|falset tones]], which are more distinct on instruments with wide conical bores and large bells.{{sfn|Adler-McKean|2020|p=105}} From B♭<sub>1</sub> down lies the [[pedal tone|pedal range]], the fundamentals of the instrument's [[Harmonic series (music)|harmonic series]]. They are more easily produced on the euphonium and tuba than on other brass instruments, and the extent of the pedal range similarly depends on the instrument. A compensating four-valved instrument can produce a B<sub>0</sub> six ledger lines below the bass clef with all valves down, sometimes called ''double pedal'' B.

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.<ref>{{Cite book |first=David |last=Kish |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1267765869 |title=Brass Methods An Essential Resource for Educators, Conductors, and Students. |date=2021 |publisher=GIA Publications |isbn=978-1-57463-545-4 |oclc=1267765869}}</ref>