bariphonium

Speed

Large mascots.

Heartburn.....

Tortillas

I'd like to play open, except that my F is 50 cents sharp. That's my problem; my F is beyond out of tune on my regular positions.

Maybe I can get this topic a little more interesting.... I played on a Yamaha for my concert horn (King marching baritone) for the last three years, but at the end of my junior year one of the graduating seniors played on a Wilson euph. Since he graduated and I became second chair (we only have 2) I got his horn (1st chair kept his own Wilson). The only problem is, I went from a small-bore mouthpiece to a large-bore mouthpiece. I was actually excited with this to begin with; my sound was much more open than before, and a ton more resonant. Shortly after I got it, though, I had to tune it, and discovered my Bb to be about 50 cents flat. Literally. So I adjusted accordingly, and then discovered that my F had become 50 cents sharp. After trying for weeks to adjust my emboshure (sp?) I decided that I had to find some alternate fingerings. I ended up pulling my first and third slides out about an inch and two inches (respectivally) and now I play all of my middle F's 1 and 3. As far as I can tell, my only problem lies in the mouthpiece difference. Any suggestions?

Well, I'm a senior, and would be more than happy to be a part of TxBPress. I just have to wait for a few months, I suppose.

Practice, followed by dinner. Then probably HW, scaring some little kids, yelling at some others about the dangers of cavities, and general chaos and mayhem with some friends.

In my freshman year, I switched from trumpet to baritone/euphonium. The main reason for me was that my lips had grown too large to give me a decent range on the trumpet (which kept me in the last band). After I switched, though, my range was exceptional, and my sound took a small hit. I quickly went up to 2nd band, but to this day I still have two main problems thanks to my trumpet teachings: 1) My air usage is much less than that required to completely fill the tubes, thus giving me a closed, less resonant sound, and 2) My embochure, being to used to the smaller mouthpiece of the trumpet, is still very tight compared to what a baritone/euphonium embochure ought to be, helping to decrease my resonance and overall sound quality. I'm working on these, and am not looking for advice; my question is this: What do you think, for any others who have switched instruments, what is the hardest part about switching? For those who haven't switched, maybe you could imagine it well enough, or try another instrument for a week (after marching season, of course) to see what it's like.

Many predictions are made on what has happened, though, in previous competitions. Many people predicted Churchill to win Arlington because they did so well at Houston, while many others put L.D. Bell first because of their reputation. Richland was rumored to be very good, but few saw Brazoswood's music wins, or Reagan's class and regional wins. Now, if you look at the predictions, Reagan is placed first by many for SA, probably because of their Arlington win. Many others put Churchill first, probably since they're still very good. Almost all seem to be adding some bias, but don't we all? I do. It is true that whatever was done previously means nothing on the field, but what has happened before does give an impression, some insight, and (for the bands themselves) some practice and experience for the field, and whatever happens on it. Nevertheless, the TXBands admin probably just saw the large amount of predictions made on the BOA Forums and cashed in on it with an "official" predictions area. Smart move, I'd say.

I like the euphonium myself (surprisingly enough) because of it's versatility. It's like the french horn of the low brass, but it can also fit many other parts: It can blend/support the horn line, produce a nice lower, counter-melody for trumpets, accompany low reeds and the tubas, second-part the trombones, and, should a composer ever right the part (God forbid), play their own melody, accompanyment, or just about anything else. If you've got a nice, solid euphonium section, you can give them any part of a song and it'll sound like it was made for their instrument, even if it wasn't. Now, if you want me to differ from my own instrument, I'll go with the clarinets. They can give a low, bassline part (should no bass clarinets be handy), or they can tear up a technical run with ease (ie, Lassiter). They'll jazz it up a bit on occasion, or they can lead a ballad that'll make you cry. Obviously, I'm a fan of versatility, and they've definately got it. Plus, I like the solid, full sound they naturally produce (unless, of course, you just aren't good).

You're gonna graduate in 07, which makes you a junior, right? Then why in the world would you say something like the above? I'd hope that anyone from a respectable band such as yours would realize that for any band, every competition should be the most important. Arlington was a regional so stacked I couldn't wait to see it, and it is definately one of the hardest regionals this year. This competition was one of the greatest contests I've seen in a long time, and Nats is by no means the "only real contest". Please be a little more considerate of what you say in the future.

Not just the Super-Regional, but also Nats. Richland, Reagan, Bell, and I think Owasso are going. It's a shame Churchill isn't. This is gonna be a great year.

Not band, huh? Easy... OK, so a bassoon and an oboe walk into a bar and... wait, that's not right. So, the other day, at practice... wait, that's not it either... OK, so this weekend I plan on going to Arlington. How about you... guys...... shoot. You know what, call me a band geek, I give up.

Anyone have the results?

My hopes and prayers go out to all those who are moving and evacuating. I'm lucky enough to live in San Antonio, and we're supposed to get some rain Monday, but for everyone in the Houston area and all areas around, good luck, and God bless.

A Reagan student posting on a band forum... about their show? I've heard that your directors are really stingy about you posting online. Guess they haven't caught you yet. So, "You Never Know" huh? I can see how that could get annoying. Still, hope Reagan does well as always. It's not like the show names have had a significant meaning. "Out of the Box" was definately different, but I never saw any major box themes in it. "Journey Within," while having the oh-so-different plume change, didn't seem to Journey-ish. "Beyond Perimeters" seemed like a take-off from "Out of the Box" but was great nonetheless. The name "Synergy" still makes no sense to me, and the show wasn't my favorite, but it sure was done well. Let's hope that "You Never Know" keeps the tradition of excellence going. BTW... anyone hear anything about Bell?

Are any of these posted yet? I'm very interested in hearing them. Also, maybe we could create a media area for pieces that are made by members (I might post a thing or two myself), as well as marching shows... if possible. Not sure if it is, though. Nonetheless, please post as your piece goes up, so that we can download it! Thanks.

The baritone/euphonium sound is usually much more mellow than a trombone, though they can use the same mouthpiece. There are baritones and euphoniums that use both small and large bore mouthpieces, and it's generally agreed that the large bore mouthpieces make better sounds, mainly because they can open up the sound more, regardless of the player. What you DON'T, I emphasize the DON'T, want to do, is play on both at the same time. I'm using both currently, and though my baritone (small bore) doesn't sound too bad, my euphonium (aka concert horn, large bore) sound is about 50 cents flat on my middle Bb. I could tune to that note, but then i'd be 50 cents sharp on my F. Since we usually play a bunch of F's in band, I'm trying to work on adjusting my emboushure (sp?) for the tuning to the Bb. The two mouthpiece sizes are what's getting at me (I used to use small bore euphonium, but got switched), but I should be able to adjust by the time region comes up. Still, I don't recommend using both at the same time. As far as learning the euphonium goes, it shouldn't be too hard, so long as you buzz a lot to get used to the emboushure (sp?), and get used to the 3-valve fingerings. It's a good switch for trumpets who lack range; I can testify.

Don't spill the beans too much, some of us like to get surprised.

I'll give you $15 for the Cavies and $20 for the Cadets, both paid now. Take it or leave it.

All the "last game, last performance, last practice, etc." hasn't hit me yet, but when it does, I'll just enjoy it while it lasts. What more can you do?

Recently my school started an ultimate frisbee club, and I have to agree, that game is great. Were is not for band, I would probably be in it.

It's official; 16 days 'till Houston & La Joya, and 1 month 'till Arlington. In about a month and a half (give or take), we'll have the Super-Regional, and only a few days afterwards, Grand Nats. Good luck to all.

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/epic An interesting flash movie predicting the future of the net. A little iffy, and not all of it realistic, but nonetheless interesting.