Editing Euphonium (section)

=== 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>