[Dixielandjazz] euphonium

[Mike]

I don't know if this has been mentioned by anyone or not, but the fourth 
valve in addition to giving extended range also helps with the 
intonation in the lower and middle registers. It's the same principal as 
the f attachment on a trombone. It gives you more choices for 
fingerings/slide positions that can allow you to play more in tune.

Mike


Robert Smith wrote:
> Dear Bill Gunter
> 
> The range of the euphonium is more than three octaves. A three-valve 
> euphonium goes from E (one octave plus a fifth below the bass stave) to 
> F four octaves above the bottom E. There is, however, a gap from the Bb 
> above the bottom E to the E above this lower Bb.
> The four-valve euphonium compensates for this by turning the Bb 
> instrument into an F instrument. This enables the above gap to be 
> filled, and also extends the range downwards to C below the bottom E.
> The normal top limit to the range is Bb below the F mentioned above, and 
> I think it is pretty rare for music to be written above this Bb.