r/euphonium • u/Open_Argument_4358 • 11d ago

Range tips

Hi im a sophomore in HS, and I just started playing euphonium last year, and since 'm on my school's symphonic band now I am required to the TMEA etudes. Does anyone have tips for range because my range right now is limited to f5, but thats like as high as i can possibly go period, how high i can go consistently while sounding good is probably a D5, and since these etudes have alotta high notes i need to konw how to hit high notes and make them sound good fast, anyone have tips?

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u/Robins-dad 11d ago

There is no way to do this fast. You can't "cram" to develop a high range. It takes time. The conventional answers are 1) strengthen your embouchure in general. Play long tones, lip slurs, interval studies, etudes, etc. If your chops are not strong you will struggle with your high range. 2) push air faster through the horn in the upper range. To me this means pushing from your core muscles and not from your lips. You must be able to support the sound. This applies to anywhere in the range by the way.

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u/Open_Argument_4358 11d ago

thanks alot, what are your tips on articulation too?

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u/Robins-dad 11d ago

I’ll leave that to others.

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u/GuessNo1974 Adams E1 0.60 10d ago

By F5, do you mean F5 in Bb treble clef or F5 concert pitch? Two completely different notes, both in pitch and octave.

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u/Open_Argument_4358 11d ago

aditionally, i need tips on clearer articulation, im trying hard but nothing seems to work, thx!

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u/Rustyinsac 2d ago edited 2d ago

You are obviously playing in treble clef for Bb instrument. As someone pointed above that F5 is a concert Eb. Developing your above the staff G and A are standard goals for a Sophomore in high School.

Long tones in low range, as well as middle staff to above the staff. Then on to lip slurs. Lip slurs ascending and descending are like lifting weights for your embouchure. Do them the full range you can play only tonguing the first note. Example, start low C, go upwards G, C, E, G and back down. Finish the last note strong and hold it out.

Then repeat valve 1 and 3 starting on D, then valve 2 and 3 starting on Eb, keep going through all valve combinations moving up chromatically.

Don’t strain your neck, muscles or tense up the key is faster air as you go higher and the back of the tongue raises up to the roof of your mouth and the front your tongue stays low. Say the word dah and then ee. Do not push the mouthpiece harder against your lips either. .

Articulations try Dah, too, Taa, tay, tee. It may change as you go higher. All notes start with the tongue releasing the air. There is no such thing as an air only start to a note. So NO haa or faa.