Dave Werden, Euphonium Solo: Philip Sparke Fantasy for Euphonium

[XtremeEuph]

His valve stroke looks so short. I play a Yamaha 842 and it takes about 3 months for a valve to compress and return, even when they are smooth :(

[gerardohigueros]

Is there any way that I can contact u?

[cheesypotato1234]

At 3:09, that note sounds like it would be torture. Keeping good air quality without dropping the pitch, man. It's good stuff.

[cj7515]

If i could triple tongue like that......well lets just say that no women would be wanting. Haha. Euphoniums and Baritones all the way

[kdmusiq27]

Awesome. Haha Thanks alot. Also im kinda in a flux. Im trying to pick a solo for our UIL contest here in texas. My choices are napoli, fantasia by jacobs, fantasia di concerto, fantasy by sparke, or arpeggione sonata. What would u recommend?

[dwerden]

@kdmusiq27 Well, naturally I'd go with the Arpeggione! But do an honest self assessment: do you think you play with a lot of musical expression and sensitivity? If so, it's great. But if you still need some work there, then the Sparke Fantasy is good, or Napoli. Good luck!

[kdmusiq27]

Great job on the solo!! :)

Also what kind of euphonium guard is that? Im trying to buy one for my horn.

[dwerden]

@kdmusiq27 Thanks for the comment. The guard is home-made. I used leather, and I glued flannel to the back so it wouldn't tarnish the horn. I also attached Velcro to the edges so the guard is easy to take off for polishing the horn.

[mehek01]

i have a baritone

[TheeSeniorJr]

Simply Amazing !

Beautifully played and lovely vibrato

[ChloeHat]

This piece is so amazing!

I'm just starting to learn Euphonium. I'm in grade nine. Yes, I'm a little late in the game but I'm excited for when I can play amazing pieces like this!

[AnIMATEZz]

playing this for my grade 8 and im only 15, cant wait :D

[EuphPlayer0809]

Hi David! How long did it take you to memorize this piece? I was going to do this for my grade 8 but i ended up doing Joseph Horovitz's Euphonium Concerto (First Movement) but i passed nonetheless!

Best Wishes from England

[dwerden]

@EuphPlayer0809 The Horovitz is a great piece! Congratulations on doing so well with it. I didn't keep track of how long it took to memorize the Sparke. It just sort-of "happens" as I practice and work on my interpretation. That gets me 80% there, so after that I have to deliberately memorize the rest. Then, if I think I have it memorized, I try to play it from memory while the television is playing a show I like. If I can get through the piece with that distraction, THEN it's memorized.

Dave

[ownedyoutyvm]

I'm doing this as a solo for Solo and Ensemble this year :)

[Wellsypig15]

im doing this for my grade 8, i just wish i could triple tongue like this

[EuphPlayer0809]

@Wellsypig15 i was going to do this for mine, but my brace (for teeth) got in the way, if you're having any trouble with it i suggest going with Euphonium Concerto (Mvt 1) by Joseph Horovitz as it is a cracking piece! I passed my g8 back in june by the way :) good luck!

[Bassetenator]

I play a 3 valve bach right now and i am looking to get a Euphonium with a 4th valve if i go into music in college, what type would you suggest?

[tomlowbrass]

@Bassetenator I'm obviously not Dave Werden but if you'll accept other advice Besson 967s are good if you have a budget, only it's best to find one from the 90's and put a new set of valves in them

[Azkynova]

...Euphoniums owned by one of the bands i'm playing at, but i think it's time to by myself a good instrument.

The question is: What is the best Euphonium for a "fresh" starter as me? I've heard that the Besson 968 is great, but i know litterarely nothing about the quality of instruments from different manufacturers. Can someone help me out with some tips here, pleeeaaase? :P

[Azkynova]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but i'll do it anyway :D

I'm 16 years old, and I've been playing the Euphonium for about 5 years now. I'm a member of three bands (two brass and one symphonic) and i just love to play this fantastic instrument :)

Until now i have been using ...

[mpmcd81]

Always nice to hear a legend!

And what a fun piece this is :) I love Philip Sparke's music.

[nicola91212]

i love the alternate fingerings

[meatflame214]

This one of the videos that made/motivated me to become better

[Pieman226]

I love this piece, you're phenomenal!

[winnerwinner921]

i was looking for a new solo and my friend who is a trombone player recommended this video to me. youre really good!

[Cosmax3]

WOW! This is fantastic!

I'm a 14 year old girl and a also play euphonium 5 years now. I know that's a bit odd, but I LOVE it! Hopefully, one day, I can play as good as you do!

[rrjj1313]

wow, by any chance do you know a guy named Mark Tuner?

[astronomicat]

I did this for solo and ensemble, got a 1, now I'm going to state with either Fantasia by Gordon Jacob or Partita by Walter Ross. If someone can get me a good recording of the Ross it would be much appreciated.

[tromboneteen13]

What grade is it?

[dabrawler101]

@tromboneteen13 It's grade 6.

[EuphPlayer0809]

@dabrawler101 actually unfortunately it's grade 8 :/ but still incredibly hard to play

[Wellsypig15]

@tromboneteen13 im pretty sure its grade 8 but even for grade 8 its really hard

[TebowToHarvin]

I did Fantasia when I was in high school...GREAT piece!

[TricoreSonata09]

Hey David, what mouthpiece did you use in the recording?

[dwerden]

A Denis Wick 4BL (my normal mouthpiece is a 4AL)

[kriseuph]

1- 3 fingering for Eb, min 6:57 nice... It is always a pleasure hearing you Mr. Werden. Greetings from Puerto Rico.

[dwerden]

I got into the habit of using 1-3 on my Sovereign and kept it on the early Sterling. Works pretty well, but it can be tricky sometimes. A few years ago when I got my Sterling Virtuoso I found it was no longer necessary, so I have stopped doing that. My main alternate fingering now is 3 for concert G - works well on most horns I have played. Thanks for you comments!

[Locker344]

i have tried to get into the habit of doin that but it is kinda odd

[ThatOneLittlePerson]

.... your my official euphonium Idol... that was incredible .... you need to come by the USM in Maine on a Wednesday and like be a guess euphonium =D

[fhp26]

u need to come to our school!! North Atlanta High School 2875 Northside Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30305 like seriously. Ur amazing.

[weimerBrass]

Absolutely awesome! I discovered this vid little over a year ago an have listened to it many times it just never gets old!!!! Mr. Werden when will you be coming back to the International Euphonium Institute???? I think you were there in 2007...

[dwerden]

If I'm invited back I'll probably go - it was a lot of fun!! And a good chance to meet lots of nice folks, too.

[weimerBrass]

Well you certainly have my vote! I hope Mr. Frey will have you back ASAP.

[TheCommyEupher]

What's the highest note in this solo just out of curiosity?

[dwerden]

A high C if you read bass clef, or a D if you read treble.

[mkjlilman]

@dwerden I was wondering what horn you are playing in this video? and what are you playing now? What is your opinion on the main tuning slide trigger?

[LowBrassMan01]

WOW! I hope to be this good some day

[barneyreggie]

Gorgeous. You must have an extra lung!!

[MRLOVINGOOD]

That's fantastic.We normally hear about the boys from across the Atlantic in London.I like that.This David sounds good,and that's without a vibratind his lips.I like the straight smooth sound.Warren Lovingood(Atlanta,Ga)

[Orfius1122]

thats hardcore ur amazing dude!

[kalayuhan]

wow your performance is so remarkable i'm an amateur euphonium player i want to be like you sir

[gogos1234567890]

AMASING! so clean, so precise, so amazing! im an amature, and i just play for fun, but it's people like you who make me want to work harder XD

[alig20]

can someone pls direct me to a website where they sell Euphoniums, but in Key of C instead of Bb? thanks

[Kduceee]

ebay

[drizztman101]

I don't think that there are euphoniums in C

[MajinBuu609]

yea there is, my tuba teacher told me they play with different fingerings as Bb ones. so a C would b like open or an Eb would b like 1 and 2.

[nathon138]

Going to Atlanta Georgia for Bands of America... w00t only missouri high school marching band to go :D and EUPHONIUM FOR LIFE...

[NejiSupreme]

WooH I second that!

[elykl33t]

NICE!!!!

our band is going to indianapolis for the BOA concert band competition in march

[TricoreSonata09]

Question Mr.Werden

when going up to the high A on the fast section in the begining of the peice i always tend to air it out with out making a sound, i think its just the horn im playing on because i was able to hit it before on my old schools bessons sovereign but now i play on an old yamaha non compensating model with the 4th valve on the side. what would be a good way to accurately hit the A along with the 16th notes coming up and coming down?

[EuphoniumKid1]

My teacher always tells me... SIX PACK ABSSSS!!!

[gekostate1234567890]

the highest i've ever gotten was high Eb above high Bb and that was for the very end of bride of the waves, i played the high part, and it said to go down the octave, but it sounded wierd so i went up the octave and it sounded better but was really hard to hit and get good tone.

[Tnova92]

Man i need to practice. I cant cleanly hit anything above C5.

[44Euphonium]

I thought High F over High C (High Eb over C in bass clef) is probably the highest euphonium note that sounds good :D

[44Euphonium]

sorry, High Eb over High Bb, my mistake

[44Euphonium]

once again, I made a typing error: those are all four wrong, it should be (in bass clef) C over High Bb

[joshdaugherty11]

how high can he play?!!!!

[gekostate1234567890]

me or mr. werden?

[dwerden]

How high? Depends on the day, but I have performed up to a high G concert (above high Bb). I can actually reach a double-high Db concert, but I have to warm up with that in mind.

[gekostate1234567890]

yea, im a 6th year student of euphonium, and this would still be incredibly challenging for me, and i just got done playing bride of the waves, which was incredibly hard. and i still cant triple tongue, i can double tongue, but triple is really hard.

[Camronzz]

Mr. Werden, I'm one of Winson Morris's students and I would like to know how you think a second year euphonium would be at playing this piece, it is really nice, wonderful job, hope you visit sometime!

[dwerden]

I think this would be an appropriate "challenge" piece for a second-year student, assuming you can triple tongue. In this case, the triple-tongue passages are all simple: 3 notes on each pitch rather than moving during the triplet. (Actually, the real "challenge" is the interpretation of the opening and the middle slow section.) If you have a triple tongue, go for it! Otherwise, start working on triple tonguing and save the Fantasy for a little later. Good luck!

[asherg3]

great tone

[falmais]

Phillip Sparke such an awesome writer! Especially for Euphonium.

[bebopdeluba]

i am only 11 and i just past my grade 5

[notatubaplayer2]

he has incredible tone. i wish i could play like that. i have played euphonium for almost four years and i'm in the process of teaching my teacher about the euphonium because he has no idea!!

[Hukler]

Awesome, I'm just starting on baritone.

[bdm8319]

Mr. Werden, what's your method to reaching those high notes. For me, beyond high G just sounds horrible when I play, it comes out very harsh sounding.

[gekostate1234567890]

I am not Mr. Warder, but just keep your soft pallet up, tighten up the corners of your lips and use alot of air, and don't pinch it in the back of your throat (like what many Young Euphonists do). and that way you can reach the higher notes (however i can only hit up to a C# with it remaining full and clear)

[drizztman101]

I've heard that tightening up corners makes the note less clear, and that its better to remain as lose as possible as high as possible.

[daviodapaulson]

For over 60 years, I have stayed with the baritone. Listening to great young Euphonium players is thrilling to listen experience their excellent musicianship while making it all appear effortless. The fast runs are impressive, but the interpretation and range of feeling in the slow sections is what separates a mechanic from a musician. This is great music all the way through.

[EuphPlayer0809]

im doing this for my grade 8 next year and i can't for the life of me get my head (well lips) round it, i've been playing for almost 10 years and im nearly finished sixth form i want to have my grade 8 by the time i leave, i cant hit all the notes and i tend to waggle my valves.... any tips Mr. Werden?

[dwerden]

Sure: work it out slowly first; use lots of air on the fast notes and make sure you get a good sound on each one, move fingers accurately and quickly. For daily practice do lots of scales and slurs over chords (arpeggios). For the slow opening, listen to the recording here, look at the markings, and try to figure out what the composer wanted the "mood" to be (I'm not sure I like the way I did it, so be creative). Good luck!

[bradspencer1991]

Exellent solo! the entire brass section was amazing!

[okpgvd000]

i played Eupho. for 6 years but never solo haha

[alLalaRANDOM]

really? i play for my high school. my conductor loves the sound of euphonium and he always gives me n my friend jayme who also plays a solo. i love it :)

[omfgitsjessieann]

Amazing Solo! I love the sound of the Euphonium, I played it for 7 years.

[daviodapaulson]

Great Euphonium player. In the league of Childs and Falcone.

[matthewharris065]

and don't forget Brian Bowman!

[NiinGPiaNo]

im in school band

n use Euphonium for 4 year.

and 1 year with Baritone marching.

i love Euphonium .

so smooth .

[biggreenblob]

OMG I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I played this solo with my highschool band.

[Orfius1122]

BEAST!!!!!!!!!

[bdm8319]

chops o steel

[Trexophone]

And a very moving solo indeed.

[Jknessmic]

I like the way he uses 1,3 for hes higher for better intonation

[melliemooo1]

this is so inspirational and amazing. i have played Euphonium for 6 years and am at grade 7(aged 16) and this is just amazing. really good - well done!

what others are saying is sooo true - people still ask me what a Euphonium is and they all think its a French Horn for some reason! beautiful once again!!

[RoronoaEmi]

This is absolutely amazing. Beautiful Euphonium sound. It doesn't get much better than a kick ass euph solo.

[roquai06]

That's just awesome - what a beautiful sound!

I play Euphonium myself for now 10 years, lots of respect and thanks for this video from germany!

[xxshadowfanxx1022]

WHOA!!! thats awesome.

[CeeDub246]

I love this! Where can I get music for the solo? I want to try it. :)

[Otakuoverlord]

Well i cant find it for download, so either that isnt the title or it goes by something else?

[nbgh10]

Actually, that is the title. I own the piece and I downloaded the audio version online. Just type in 'download sparke's fantasy for euphonium.' That's how I got it.

[Otakuoverlord]

whats the name of this song ITS AWESOME!!!

[nbgh10]

Um...Philip Sparke's Fantasy for Euphonium. It says in the title.

[63splitback]

EUPHONIUM PRIDE!

[HaloMonkeys]

w00t represent!

[twinsfna31]

euphonium pride!!

[robechu]

holy crap

[wallstore]

You're using alot of alternativ fingerings... Are your horn a bit out of tune, or is it your 4BL that makes you a bit untuned compared to usual?

[dwerden]

wallstore,

The early model Sterlings had slightly better intonation than the Bessons of that era, but the tendencies were mostly in the same direction. On the Besson I used alternates to fix intonation, so I used them on Sterling as well. 1-3 for E-flat, 1-2 for high A. The 3rd valve instead of 1-2 is more-or-less standard on compensating horns and I often use it even on my new Sterling Virtuoso, which has much better intonation.

[whatxdosexitxmatter]

does anyone know what kind of horn and mouth piece he is using? our atleast some helpful advise on what kind of horn would be good for a first year in colledge....

[wallstore]

Besson Sovereign is an instrument that would work fine:) One of the best around, and sounds well:)

[kerrybtone]

let your music professor tell you that..I hear miami uni or indiana state would have a good music program

[vincentrioux]

very good;)

[ptsshhh]

It sounds as if he's trying to jazz it up or something. way too rough in the beginning.

I think he sound have used a bit more rubato around the calm section between M and N.

It's not as difficult as it might sound to some of you either, I've been practising it for a while now, and I think I've got it soon. and I'm 16.

[parcel98]

Congrats. Unlike you, though, he actually knows what he's doing.

[dwerden]

Certainly there are different ways to interpret it. The beginning is marked forte and quasi recitative risoluto, so it needs to be strong. But with my normal mouthpiece (a Wick 4AL instead of the 4BL I used that night) it might have sounded less rough.

As far as difficulty goes, it is far from the most difficult solo, but I still believe it requires a lot of the soloist AND ensemble. There are some very tricky rhythmic passages to put together for one thing. Have you tried it with piano yet?

[davideuphonium]

fantastic

[DontMessWithMe1991]

that was brilliant, im doing that for my grade 8 euphonium piece, if i could play like you id pass with flying colours :)

[revitup360]

Dude that is amazing, I play the baritone but im only 15. This is a huge inspiration. This is truely amazing! Good Job!!!!!!

[0HiroHiro0]

Baritone or Euphonium? :D

I play the Euphonium ^.^

[vincentrioux]

same thing^^

[0HiroHiro0]

Yay! :D

[parcel98]

they're not the same!

[0HiroHiro0]

I never said it was, vincentrioux did. And whom ever can't tell the difference probably can't tell the difference between a drummer and percussionist

[allaroundg]

i use 51d or 6 1/2 al

[Kurfie549]

shows how much you know. a 6 1/2 would NOT be a good choice. a Denis Wick 4AL heritahe a SM3 or SM4 or a loud lm25 or even a schilke 52D would be far better choices. dont use a VB 6 1/2 when you are as good as dave

[nathon138]

dude THAT WAS GR8 I am a 5 year state champion and i would have to take a bow to you cause that was the best tune quality with double tounging i ever heard and wow man nice tune work... and kids leave it to the pro's =] good job... speaking of which i have a marching band competition tomorrow at murphysburo illinois... GO POTOSI TROJANS!!!! =]

[soggysacklunch]

there is no double tongueing in that piece

[bethlynr]

uhh yes there is. Unless you play it way under tempo.

[jibblegit]

lol, true, there is no double tongueing, theres only a few bits of triple tounging

[Kurfie549]

you are correct if you listen, and know what you are listening to it is triple doh doh goh all the way man

[stewy7433]

Amazing! I'm learning how to play the euphonium. It was neat that you used all those different fingering combos and it was still in tune. I can see why you used a shallower mouthpiece. Lots of great upper register playing!

[euphoniumD1]

Great Job!

[dwerden]

In this recording, made around 1992, I used a Sterling euphonium with a heavy red-brass bell. I usually used a Wick 4AL mouthpiece, but for this gig I changed to the shallower 4BL because of the overall demands of the concert/rehearsals that day.

[Matonizz]

Thanks. Huge admirations to Your work.

[Matonizz]

Nice playing. What gear does he use?