A euphonium is a brass instrument that features a conical bore. It resembles the baritone horn. The name is derived from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding".
Types
Euphoniums are either piston valved or rotary valved. Additionally, there are compensating and non-compensating euphoniums, which are distinguished by the presence (compensating) or lack (non-compensating) of a side valve.
Finger Placement
There are three valves situated on top of the euphonium, which are pressed down with the first three fingers of the right hand. The fourth valve (compensating model) is present on the right side and is pressed with the left index finger.
Pitch
Euphoniums are concert B instruments. When none of the valves are pressed, notes of the B harmonic series are produced.
Conical Bore
The diameter of the euphonium tube increases along its length, creating a softer, gentler tone than cylindrical bore instruments.
Inventors
Ferdinand Sommer in 1843, Carl Moritz in 1838 and Adolphe Sax in 1843 have each been credited with inventing the euphonium.
