Klarinet Archive - Posting 001215.txt from 1998/01

From: "Robert D. Shaw" <theshaws@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Baritone horn or Euphonium
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 14:26:16 -0500

Edwin V. Lacy wrote:
>
> On Thu, 29 Jan 1998, Luanne S. Jacobs wrote:
>
> > They are quite similar but there is a difference and the fingerings are
> > very different from each other. F on Euphonium for example is open but
> > on Baritone TC, it is first valve.
>
> There is a significant misconception here. All euphoniums or baritone
> horns have exactly the same range, the same fingerings, the same
> everything. You can't look at one of these instruments and say, "This is
> a treble clef baritone," or, "This is a bass clef baritone." The
> difference is in the way the player thinks of the music and in the
> transposition.
>
> When written in the bass clef, the instrument is non-transposing. That
> is, the pitches are written exactly as they sound. If the player is more
> adept at reading treble clef, the pitches are transposed up a major ninth.
> Let's take an example. Say the note in question is the Eb below middle C.
> If the player is reading bass clef, the note is fingered with the first
> valve only. The player sees Eb, and Eb sounds. Now, let's say his
> partner plays exactly the same instrument, except that he reads the treble
> clef. Now, the note is transposed up a major ninth, so it is written as F
> on the first space of the treble clef, and the player plays it with the
> first valve, just as in the first example. Now, the player sees F, but Eb
> sounds.
>
> It's best not to try to make a comparison of this and the bass clarinet
> when it is written in bass clef, because the situation is far more
> complicated for the bass clarinet. There are at least two different types
> of transposition for the bass clarinet. This has already been discussed
> at length on the list. I'm sure the messages are archived in case anyone
> is interested.
>
> Ed Lacy
> *****************************************************************
> Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
> Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
> Evansville, IN 47722
> el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
> *****************************************************************
According to Woodwind&Brasswind,"All instruments made in the U.S.A.are
now and have always been euphoniums.The term baritone is a misnomer that
somehow got carried over to the U.S.from England when referring to three
valve ,bell front instruments.The bore of a true baritone is cylindrical
rather than conical like all U.S. instruments.The only true baritone is
the English Baritone that is used in British brass bands."
All those years I thought I was playing a baritone!
bob B-)