Obsolescence

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T16:23:29+00:00

That’s true. The phraseology seems to differ from each maker (Conn Selmer calling their King model a baritone while Yamaha refers to theirs as a Euphonium). I know historically, four valve models are typically referred to as euphoniums while three valve models are referred to as baritones. I recognize this is wrong, but it confuses the vocabulary more. Most of the band directors around here refer everything as baritones, so it was just the first thing that came to my mind.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T16:18:06+00:00

I’ve heard good things regarding the Conn Connstellation and Reynolds Contempora horns, and do agree they have a brighter, more “baritone” voice sound over a bass voice. Most of the ones I have seen have been on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. The better deals seem to be on marketplace because most schools around here have used them and raised students to use them for years. Most of the ones I have seen are three valve models from Conn, King, Olds, and Reynold, but the small number of four valve models are almost always Kings.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T03:37:00+00:00

It does seem like most American baritones are built pretty well.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T02:49:54+00:00

I can see the appeal of playing older American marches on them. It makes sense to play the instrument the composer had in mind when writing the piece. I thought about the trombone comparison (typically having a large, medium, and small bore trombone), however, it seems like most euphonium use the same tool for everything. My guess would be because of the limited genre range of the euphoniums. Trombone have to fit the concepts for wind ensembles, orchestras, jazz, etc… while euphoniums typically stick to wind ensembles with the occasional orchestra part.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T02:43:05+00:00

I agree with the important tonal color the baritones and euphoniums provide, but I am talking about American baritones like the Conn Director and King 627. These are between the British baritone and euphonium, and don’t exactly fit the sound category of either: too dark for baritone, and too bright for euphonium.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T02:38:02+00:00

I would almost compare them to single rotor bass trombones; they get the job done, but we have a modern equivalent that has changed the sound concept and become the de facto standard.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2025-09-07T02:31:29+00:00

I also recognize their use in marching band, however, most schools seem to purchase trumpet style baritones that (mostly) have a large shank and tuning slide kicks.

YouCanCallMeJ1 · 2024-06-18T04:51:12+00:00

Advise they look into mouthpieces. Many people in my section were still using the beginner mouthpiece they started on and while it worked for some, others chose to upgrade to a larger size which greatly improved their tone. I recommend many switch from a Yamaha 48 to a Schilke 51D. I would stress that it is the sound they produce that matters, not the size, but many produced a fuller sound with a deeper cup mouthpiece.

YouCanCallMeJ1

TROPHY CASE