Euphonium

Euphonium
Brass instrument
Classification

Wind, brass

Aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification423.231.2
(Valved bugle with wide bore)
Developed1840s from the ophicleide
Playing range
The B♭ euphonium sounds an octave and a major second lower than written when notated in treble clef. It is also notated in concert pitch in bass clef.[1]
Related instruments
  • Tuba
  • Baritone horn
  • Tenor horn
  • Saxhorn
  • Ophicleide
  • Mellophone
  • Flugelhorn
Builders
  • Adams
  • Amati
  • B&S (rotary valves)
  • Besson
  • Červený
  • Courtois (saxhorn basse)
  • Geneva
  • Hirsbrunner
  • Wessex
  • Willson
  • Yamaha[2]

Historical:

The euphonium (English: /juˈfnəm/ yoo-FOH-nee-əm; Italian: eufonio; Spanish: bombardino) is a tenor- and baritone-voiced valved brass instrument employed chiefly in brass or military bands and wind orchestras. The euphonium is a member of the large family of valved bugles, along with the tuba and flugelhorn, characterised by a wide conical bore. Most instruments have four valves, usually compensating piston valves, although instruments with four or five rotary valves are common in Eastern and Central Europe.

Euphonium repertoire may be notated in the bass clef as a non-transposing instrument or in the treble clef as a transposing instrument in B. In British brass bands, it is typically treated as a treble-clef instrument, while in American band music, parts may be written in either treble clef or bass clef, or both. A musician who plays the euphonium is known as a euphoniumist, a euphonist, or simply a euphonium or "eupho" player.

  1. ^ Herbert, Myers & Wallace 2019, p. 484, Appendix 2: The Ranges of Labrosones.
  2. ^
    • "Adams Euphoniums". Ittervoort: Adams Musical Instruments. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Euphoniums". Kraslice: Amati Kraslice. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Tenor and Baritonehorns". B&S. Markneukirchen: Buffet Crampon. Retrieved 26 August 2025. European Baryton style oval shape with four rotary valves.
    • "Euphoniums". Besson. Mantes-la-Ville: Buffet Crampon. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Barytones". V. F. Červený & Synové. Kraslice: Amati Kraslice. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Legend 366". Courtois. Markneukirchen: Buffet Crampon. Retrieved 26 August 2025. Saxhorn basse in B♭ with four Périnet piston valves.
    • "Shop (Euphonium)". Billingham: Geneva Instruments. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Euphonium". Sumiswald: Hirsbrunner. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Euphoniums and Baritones". Andover: Wessex Tubas. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
    • "Celebration Euphonium 2960TA-UK". Flums: Willson Band Instruments. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Search results for "euphonium"". Musical Instrument Museums Edinburgh. University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. ^ Gautrot Brevete (1889) [built c. 1845–84]. "Bass Saxhorn or Euphonium in B♭". The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession: 89.4.1092. Retrieved 26 August 2025.