MUSIC TERMS
Here are a few musical terms helpful in defining certain aspects about the tuba and euphonium.

Visit http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary for an extensive listing of musical terms.

Aerophone = a tube or pipe enclosing a column of air and acting as a resonator.

Baritone – small bore, cylindrical instrument. This is different from the Euphonium in size and sound. It is pitched in BBb. It is a traditional instrument of the brass band.

Brass Instrument – an instrument that uses a cup shaped mouthpiece and produces sound by vibrating the lips into the mouthpiece.

Bugle – a brass instrument without keys. It is played by movement and vibration of the lips. It was typically used in military bands to signal for wake-up, dinner, etc. There are seven keys of bugles on one, three-valve brass instrument (like a trumpet or three valve euphonium) because there are seven different fingering combinations, each one a different keyed bugle. Essentially, as tuba and euphonium players we are “buglers." 

Conical Bore – The tuba and euphonium are considered conical instruments. A conical instrument has a gradual taper for the major portion of their length. They produce a more mellow tone quality.

Cylindrical Bore – instruments like the trumpet, baritone or the trombone have cylindrical bore. That means that the instruments maintain a consistent bore size throughout the major portion of the instrument. They are brighter sounding.

Compensating System – An instrument that has a compensating system has a fourth valve and has extra tubing or “knuckles” on the back of valves 1, 2, and 3. The fourth valve, in addition to the extra tubing makes it possible to play chromatic notes between the first and second partials. It also makes for much better intonation overall.   The fingering system is such that you can play Db using 2/3, add the fourth valve and play the octave lower in tune. On a non-compensating instrument you would not be able to play the same fingering for that low Db. For example, on a non-compensating instrument, you would have to play a half step lower (fingering 1/3) and adding the fourth valve to play a “not very in tune” Db. Also with a compensating instrument you can now play the low B natural in tune using 1, 2, 3, 4. So, a compensating instrument is the way to go. You get better intonation, all of the chromatic notes from low to high and better fingering combinations!

Euphonium - The concertmaster Sommer of Weimar designed the euphonium in 1843, which was a wide-bored valved bugle in the baritone range. This instrument was then called the Euphonion . A brass instrument of the tuba family smaller and higher in pitch than a tuba, with a range of B-flat below the bass clef to B -flat in the treble clef. The euphonium has taken the place of Richard Wagner's tenor tuba. All of the music originally written for the tenor tuba is now typically performed on the euphonium.

Harmonic Series – A harmonic series is all of the notes that you can play using one fingering or using the open bugle. For example if you start on your low open note (on BBb instruments this is the pedal BBb) that is the fundamental starting note. Lip slur very slowly upward, playing only the open notes available on the instrument. Thinking in terms of a major scale from that pedal BBb you will be able to play the octave above that BBb (low BBb) then a fifth above that note (F) , then the octave (BBb), third (D), fifth (F), flat seventh (Ab), octave (Bb), then the 2 nd above that, then the 3 rd , a sharp 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , a flat 7 th , major 7 th , and octave. For more information see “harmonics” when you visit http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary

Helicon - A valved brass instrument of the tuba family held on the left shoulder and passing under the right arm, similar to the sousaphone. It is of the bass register and was invented in Vienna in 1845.

Ophicleide – an obsolete (except in museums and collectors of old instruments) conical bore brass instrument of the bass range belonging to the keyed bugle family. The ophiclide had nine to twelve wooden keys on the side and was designed to be the lowest member of the brass family. This instrument was used in bands, orchestras and opera orchestras in the 1840's as the bass voice.

Serpent - An obsolete wind instrument invented at the end of the 16 century; it is made of wood and resembles a serpent . The instrument has a conical bore and finger holes along its length; it produced a harsh, rough tone in comparison to the tuba or euphonium. This instrument was used as a bass instrument before the invention of the ophecleide.

Sousaphone – A brass instrument invented by composer and conductor, John Phillip Sousa and the instrument maker J. W. Pepper (Philadelphia). The design was adapted from the tuba and the helicon. In 1893, Pepper built an instrument that allowed the bell to be pointed upwards for the concert setting and forward for the march. He called it a “ sousaphone” to thank Sousa for his suggestions.

Tuba and Euphonium = lip vibrating aerophones and also classified as brass instruments. They are also conical bore instruments.

Tuba – The first known tuba was invented in 1835 by Wilhelm Wieprecht. Today there are four keys of the tuba. From biggest to smallest; BBb, CC, Eb, F. The BBb and CC tubas are considered “contrabass” instruments and are used in bands and orchestras to provide the low, resonant foundation for the ensemble. The Eb and F tubas are “Bass” tubas and are used for high orchestra parts, chamber music and for solo playing. Their lighter timbre allows easier facility in the upper range and to play with a lighter sound overall.

Valve – the first valve was invented in 1815 by Heinrich Stolzel.

Wagner Tuba - this instrument was invented by the composer Richard Wagner to be used in his operas. This instrument was intended to fill the sound between the French horn and the trombone. The bell curves to the side, in an oval shape and uses a French horn style mouthpiece. This instrument was also used in compositions by famous composers like Strauss, Bruckner, and Stravinsky.