 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-07-11 04:44
I was looking on e-bay awhile ago and found this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1443799596&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=994630126&indexURL=0&rd=1
I know the auction is over, but I was wandering if these are actully used? I have never seen anything like this before.
Sara
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-07-11 05:26
Hi, Sara -
You asked if these are actully used. I looked under eBay listings by number and found a double barrel :]) euphonium.
Yep. Not the most common variety but, yes, it's real.
- ron b -
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Author: David
Date: 2001-07-11 12:18
Very odd. I play a little brass and am very curious on how you would work the fifth valve considering that there's no possible angle to add your thumb in the valvework. But also, what does the extra barrel *do*? Can you get multiphonics on it, or is there a mechanism that changes bells for different tone quality without the option of using both bells? I am very curious on this model.
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Author: Bobby
Date: 2001-07-11 17:29
First of all, thanks for all of the tips on clarinet basics for the brand new music store employee. Everything at the store is going great!
This instrument is a double-belled euphonium. They were used most widely in the early 1900s. The main bell is most often a euphonium bell, but some have a baritone bell (the difference is in the bell flare, a baritone's is more like a trombone and a euph is more like a tuba). The alternate bell is most commonly that of a trombone. The advantage of having two bells is that you can get different sounds out of each bell; the auxiliary bell offers a lighter and brighter tone than that of a euphonium. I don't know any bore sizes, but I believe that it probably uses a small bore mouthpiece (as opposed to large bore/bass trombone shank).
There are many varieties of double bell euphs, some only have 4 valves, others like this one have 5. The 4 valve models are essentially a 3 valve euph with an extra valve to switch to the alternate bell section. The 5 valve models have a fourth valve. The fourth valve replaces the first and third valve combination which is always very sharp. If you know about trombones, the 4th valve is the same note as the f-attachment.
This next quote is from the Euphonium Asylum located at http://www.nikknakks.net/Euphonium/
"Meredith Wilson brought the euphonium second-hand fame in the title song from his "Music Man." The double-belled instrument mentioned here does exist. Early in the 20th century this novelty was obtained by the addition of a small bell section to the main euphonium. This small bell section was used for trombone like effects and was triggered by the use of an extra valve."
These instruments are very rare and often sell for top dollar, regardless of condition or looks. I believe that Conn was one of the largest manufacturers of double belled euphs.
On using the fifth valve, you could probably reach around to depress it with your left hand. With this instrument having a fourth valve, you never have to push down more than two valves to play any note, this would free up another finger (or two) to push down the fifth valve.
If any of you know about 4 valve compensating systems on new euphoniums you will be able to understand my description. On these compensating euphoniums, the first three valves are upright action and the fourth valve is on the side of the instrument to be pressed down with your left index finger. THis next link will show you yamaha's compensating euphonium so that you can see what I mean. http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gAHB00009YEP-642
Anyways, I have seen double belled euphs with a valve setup similar to the previous yamaha. The only difference is that they don't compensate, and the fifth valve is located directly below the fourth valve to be pushed down with your left middle finger.
For a description on the compensating system go to http://www.dwerden.com/comp/compensating.asp
Hope I cleared stuff up for you, and did not confuse you more than you already are (crazy woodwind players).
Bobby Brown
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Author: David
Date: 2001-07-11 18:03
I understand perfectly, being the odd combination of tuba player and clarinet player. (You don't see many of those.)
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Author: SALT
Date: 2001-07-12 22:20
I have a friend who plays clarinet and tuba and also marches colorguard!
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The Clarinet Pages
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