Euphonium is perhaps the most confusing of the brass instruments regarding hand and playing position. Some instruments have bells that go straight up while some have bells that point out. The former has valves that are vertical when in playing position while the latter have valves that point forward. If an instrument has four valves, players may need to use either their right hand or left hand to play the fourth valve. The instruments themselves are bulky enough that smaller students may find their size awkward. There doesn’t seem to be a clear place to grip with the left hand. Yet with proper instruction, students of all ages can find relatively fast success in producing musical sounds with good technique.
With larger brass instruments it becomes even more imperative that teachers ensure students bring the instruments to their embouchures rather than adjusting themselves to fit the instruments. In the case of the euphonium, this may require assistance. Teachers must assess whether a student remains in good position when resting her instrument on her thigh (or even on the chair seat). If not, she must hold the instrument up, supporting the weight with her left hand and arm. Students who need the instrument higher may also use a cushion in their lap to raise the mouthpiece height. In particular circumstances a teacher may even consider providing a tuba stand (see section on the tuba) to attain the correct height and relieve the weight of the instrument. As with other instruments, player may first practice on”air” instruments before adding the actual instruments.
A sequence for teaching and learning hand and playing position on bell-up euphoniums includes:
- Student wraps his left hand around the instrument, gripping the valve tubing with his knuckles facing out and “hugging” the instrument. If there is a fourth valve that is separated from the right hand valves, the player would place his left index finger on it.
- Student makes a “C” with his right hand and rests his fingers on the valves (using pinky as well if there is a fourth valve).
- Student places his right thumb below the tubing behind the valves or in the ring if one is present.
- Student adjusts the instrument to the correct height by holding it up or resting it on thigh, chair, cushion, or stand as appropriate. The instrument should rest diagonally across the body with the bell to the right of the player’s head and no evidence that the student is contorting or changing posture to reach the mouthpiece.
A sequence for teaching and learning hand and playing position on bell-out euphoniums includes:
- Student grips the tubing on the side of the instrument with her knuckles facing left.
- Student wraps her right arm around instrument and with her right hand in the shape of a “C” places her fingers on the valves, including the fourth valve if present.
- Student adjusts the instrument to the correct height by holding it up or resting it on thigh, chair, cushion, or stand as appropriate. The instrument should rest diagonally across the body with the bell to the left of the player’s head and no evidence that the student is contorting or changing posture to reach the mouthpiece.