1 Learning & Playing Tuba/Trumpet/Euphonium/Baritone/Flugelhorn/French Horn/Cornet

[PinkEyeMurder]

I used to play in band like you. Then i took a trumpet to the knee.

[dashrm12]

I'm switching from tenor to tuba -_-

[skawo4]

im play trombone and going to learn french horn soon, yay!

[1SquidBoy]

@skawo4 Good luck.

[MrBranden101]

I Currently play Trumpet changing to Trombone

[Taco979x]

um how do i buzz diff notes plz help switching from alto sax

[FearMyChewyWaffles]

@Taco979x tighten your lips for higher notes. loosen for lower

[ashto2424]

Any ideas for going from trombone to tuba for me?

[96brazil]

Thx switching from violin to French horn I needed a lil advice

[themeleed]

I play trumpet primarily, but a few years back I tried french horn for a year. I learned it and was able to play it at a somewhat decent level (I switched back to trumpet because I liked that more). Once you learn one it's easy to pick up others. I also play guitar and piano on the side.

[chubbsthebubbs]

it doesnt work for a french horn i play it and it had dif notes

[mr5timewcwchamp]

@altosaxophoneist203 idk that's a tough one, I mean generally your probably gonna have to learn a new clef but maybe you won't have to if he makes the music as a tc tuba which is kinda not common

[funnythingsisfun]

I play trombone as my main instrument, but have also learned how to play tuba, euphonium, baritone, trumpet and flugelhorn, and I have just started to learn the altohorn in Eb

[altosaxophoneist203]

would tuba be easy to switch to from bass clarinet? because im switching to tuba for my band teacher next year

[TheyLookAtMeWeird]

Uhhhhhh don't call me stupid because I'm speaking for the non brass players out there(I am a rare female euph player) What happens if you don't buzz your lips?

[prt1667]

@TheyLookAtMeWeird Basically, you're just blowing air.

[aceofpiplups]

should i play tuba or french horn

[SuperTwitchey]

I started playing the Trumpet and switched to the Euphonium a few years after and I noticed learning how to play on a small mouth piece really helps with a larger mouth piece.

[ProCameraman11]

To anyone who thinks the trombone is easy, let me tell you how wrong you are. The trombone is basically a big tuning slide, so it isn't possible to hit the exact note. Also, unlike other brass instruments, you can't slur notes unless you use a special technique which is hard to get the hang of. French horn is really hard as well, but never underestimate the difficulty of the trombone.

[ProCameraman11]

I play trumpet, euphonium, baritone, tuba, and trombone! Brass rocks!

[FilipinoGuy3398]

Duuuuuuuude! I play euphonium, baritone, tuba, and trombone.

[Videoseeker234]

@Anyone I currently play a trombone. Which other brass instrument would help me ease lower towered the tuba? Or better yet, any hints on how to go from trombone to tuba?

[PianoWallaby]

@Videoseeker234 It might interest you to know that the baritone/euphonium uses valves like the tuba, but uses the mouthpiece of the trombone. You might try that out as a starter. Thanks for the comment.

[agger382]

IT IS A STRANGE TYPE OF TUBA.

[Merced1234ily]

I play french horn Is Hard. But Im first chair. I say french horn and tuba arethe hardest.

[bilos1993]

Thank you for this very helpful video!

[PianoWallaby]

@bilos1993 You are certainly welcome!

[derick12gg]

wat is the easist brass intrument

[PianoWallaby]

@derick12gg Hard to say. Horn is probably the hardest. Tuba is low, trumpet is high - maybe something in the middle (trombone, baritone) might be the easiest. But it is hard to say. Thanks for the comment.

[matthew34433]

@PianoWallaby the french horn is the hardest. I play the french horn and i have played for a while and i still have problems lip sluring.

[matthew34433]

@derick12gg none of them are really easy

[AntrawkssHard]

im a begginer at the baritone tuba i like it...

[TheCole1098]

I'm a French Horn player, and I just want to say the longer the tubing, the lower you will be able to play. The smaller the mouthpiece, the higher you can play. That's why French Horns have the most variety of notes. Hope this helped!

[PianoWallaby]

@TheCole1098 Thanks for the great principle!

[sunes13]

Just train, i play euphonium, trombone and trompet myself, i felt it hard in the beginning too, but youll get used to it :)

[Marco1U]

It's hard for me to reach the high notes on the tuba on the key of E..I mean i could do it but it's difficult for me to hold them out and play them on the exact time i want them =/

[Aggibale]

i remember switch from flute to baritone/euphonium. i had no idea about buzzing because i was in middle school and the teacher just gave it to me because there were not a lot of baritone players. i accidentally buzzed my lips and made a really loud sound, and then i learned how to play brass instruments. lol.

it's been so many years, i miss the euphonium :]

thanks for the vid!

[PianoWallaby]

@Aggibale You're welcome!

[Huskyowner2007]

Hi PianoWallaby I just got my trumpet and french horn. My buzzing is weak. How can I develop my buzzing range better? So I can play better on both horns. Any advice?

[pbstrein]

@Huskyowner2007 Well, I am no expert or teacher, but the way i got better at trumpet is just playing. The longer and higher u play, the more and higher notes u can play. This may or not help, any more advice from anyone?

[PianoWallaby]

@Huskyowner2007 For buzzing, see video number 7. Thanks for the comment.

[PatientxWhatsername]

@Huskyowner2007 Practice, practice, practice. Play low then high then low then high then low low then high. Building (and keeping) a good range is the most difficult part of playing a brass instrument, I think.

[Huskyowner2007]

@PatientxWhatsername thanks I want to play it well one day

[ultimatetoast]

some tubas can be made left handed

[Huskyowner2007]

Hi PianoWallaby, Is there a horn instrument that can be play with the left hand because I'm left handed. Let me know thanks

[PianoWallaby]

The valves of the horn ("French Horn") are played with the left hand. Most other brass instruments are played with the right hand. Thanks for the comment.

[ilikemewaffle]

@Huskyowner2007 the french horn and some tubas are left handed

[LaLaderaMichoacan]

Thank your for taking the time to teach us. Your plan works great asking questions and giving examples with various instruments.

Keep sharing your knowledge!

[PianoWallaby]

Sure thing!  So glad you found the videos useful!

[stressedok]

My kids have just taken ujp the horn & I decided to try out your pages on the horn....within 20 minutes i had my 3 tones playing...think i might join the kids in the fun!!! brilliant site..........love the key finger cards....got any more????

[draculauploader]

Thanks I play piano but I'm learning euphonium and trombone right now and this videos helped me a lot.

[PianoWallaby]

Glad to hear it!

[killershark095]

not to be mean or anything but,,seriously?...dady,baby and grand dady valve?...i mean c'mon...1st valve,2nd valve and 3rd valve, thats like some directors calling a grand pause ,rail road tracks or a creshendo a peice of pie or something,..my director talks to us like adults,and because of that,we are the best jr band in the state of louisiana..SJH...baby..and i will try and post some videos of me playing if you want and i will play all my chromatic scales of you want too..

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for your comment. "Daddy, Baby and Granddaddy" have nothing at all to do with not being treated like an adult. It is rather a way to visualize the fact that the 3 valves are of three different lengths. Remembering a fingering is much easier if you know "why" it is that way. "1st", "2nd", and "3rd valve" are certainly useful names, but they do not give you any information as to their lengths. Thanks again for the comment.

[FXILIPX]

I had my first lesson to day in music school (I play the euphonium, but I have to wait until I can hire one & then buy one). I watched some of you videos before and it actually helped me a lot. My teacher actually asked if I already played a brass instrument. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[PianoWallaby]

That is great to hear! And so nice of you to come back to the video to make a comment! Let me know how you come along. Best wishes.

[PianoWallaby]

The reason for discussing the relative lengths of each valve (and the associated names as a memory aid) is to understand actually how the instrument works.Thanks for your comment.

[PianoWallaby]

Hi.You are right, a horn is longer than a trumpet,which is one reason the horn has a lower range.A horn is also longer than a trombone, which has a lower range, but the principle still holds:the longer, the lower - a longer pathway creates a lower sound.The other variable - which partial above the fundamental is created by the mouth and mouthpiece-is the reason that a horn can also play in a high range.That's the second principle discussed in the video.

[MSZTRECIE]

im playing baritone for the second year in school!!! i acctually like it!

[PianoWallaby]

Great!

[windowmakerbk]

i cant blow into my baritone right)= im playing it in junior high

[2ilikeggs485]

seems like binary

[PianoWallaby]

it does, doesn't it?

[Ariels839]

im doin clarinet 2

[boomtao]

You explained everything very nicely and clearly! Thank you!

I have a question regarding the timbre of the instrument and the shape of the mouth-piece. I read that "soft-brass" instruments have a short cilindric and long conic drilling and "sharp" brass have long cilindric and short conic. What does that mean?

[PianoWallaby]

Instruments whose bore (i.e. the diameter of the tubing) is conical (i.e. it gets gradually bigger towards the bell) have a mellow sound. Instruments whose bore is cylindrical (i.e. it stays relatively the same size for most of the instrument) have a penetrating sound. This has to do with the way the sound waves travel through the instrument. Hope that helps!

[UpcomingJedi]

Daddy valve?? Thats new. Never heard the valves referred this way in any method book. I dunno, maybe it may imply sexual harrassment. LOL!!

[111crazyboy222]

that look like a tuba

[frizzheadgal]

any who can play the cornet!!!!!! please help me!!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna try for band and I don't know how to hold it!!!!! I SOUND TERRIBLE!!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!

[DeadEyeSprout]

method book...Standard Book of Excellence...go to a music store and they should have it.

[lloyddoublel]

hi i used to play cornet. practice scales etc then try and hold each note for 4 beats in the c scale. do this over and over and you will be able to hold a note. then go and start to practice small tunes and move up to longer tunes when your lip does not get sore after a long time.

[lloyddoublel]

{cont.} if you have achieved this then you should be fine to try for a band and get in for 3rd cornet and then after a year or so practice you will maybe move up to second then repiano then first/solo. good luck and dont give up if you dont get in keep trying!!!

[superdan310]

i might do a vid of holding cornet and scales and stuff

[frizzheadgal]

I well, am now doing clarient...

[themouseofevil]

The air isn't what causes the sound. A lot of people think that Tuba players use as much air as it takes to fill the Tuba, but that isn't true at all. It's the VIBRATION OF THE LIPS that travels through, and the air is fuel for the lips to buzz.

[missylevi]

So you mean that there are only 3 ways you need to change your lips to get higher notes? So say you have it open, there are ONLY 3 ways to play that note with the buzzing of your lips?

[PianoWallaby]

There is basically one way your lips must be for each note you want to play. Then there are small variations which effect the tone-quality. But a good way of thinking about it is that there is a specific way your lips must be to play each of the open notes on your instrument (I only play 3 in the video, but there are about 10, depending on your instrument), and that the valves do the rest. But your lips do actually have to change a little bit for each different note you play. Hope that helps.

[chessboys01]

im 14 and ive been playing euphonium for offer 3 years now and its easier if u call the valves 123 oh and also 1 and 2 would not make the same noise as 3 alone the 3 would be slightly sharp or flat or probably a different note

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, certainly calling the valves 1, 2 and 3 is a good idea. That is usually what one calls them. The Grandfather etc. is only there so that one understands which valve is longer. As far as the 3rd valve goes (and whether it is sharp or flat), this depends upon the system of tuning that you use. If you tune the 3rd valve to be in tune alone, then it is, indeed, perfectly in tune when used alone. Usually, though, you would tune it to be a bit flat when played alone.

[SBfluteman]

awesome video! i'm learning to play euph and ofcourse, as u mentioned, it works the same way. I didnt know about the science behind the different length of valves so thanks for using the family metaphor! it clears up a lot. as I my band teacher first taught me, i was lyk i wonder why its Open then 1 3 instead of 2 and now i understand why! thanks for this great video!

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for the comment. I am glad the video helped you understand the system. Yes, as you hinted at, thinking of the fingerings as "ascending" does not lead to a system: an ascending whole step from "open", is sometimes "1 3"; sometimes "1 2"; and sometimes "1". But "descending" (on brass instruments) makes sense because that is how the system works (by lengthening the tube).  So a descending whole step from "open" can ALWAYS be played "1". Thanks again for your comment!

[miyuchan16]

if anyone can play the french horn can u please help me? its my first year in band and im switchign instuments becouse we dont have a french horn in my band and we need one so im switching but dont knwo how to play, so can someone email me with something that has the finguring chart for the french homn? like maybe videos with each note and the figerings that go to each note? if so thanks

[BrokenBrilliance]

Why don't you just refer to the valves by the ammount of semitones each one changes it by?

[PianoWallaby]

That is, of course, also possible, and is something that one should definitely be able to do. The family names are just there to make the picture more memorable. You can remember that the small one is in the middle if you picture the family walking across a street, for example. These are all just different ways, of course, of getting to the same place. Some people might find it easier just to remember how many semitones (or which interval) each valve produces. Thanks for the comment!

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for your comment. I am glad you found the video helpful. I hope it can serve as something of an example: that there is an order underlying everything, even if it is not immediately obvious. Thanks again, and much enjoyment with your baritone!

[crazygamer890]

I play the baritone in my school band, and this is just as good as my school provides, but quicker.

[tomtom561]

Me too!

[Diyoer]

Very clear, thanks

[PianoWallaby]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[aessess]

that might just have been the best/easiest way of teaching that I've ever experienced. Just bought a trumpet and I'll follow your next lessons for sure. However shouldn't daddy-baby be in line instead of granddaddy-baby since granddaddy is comes after daddy in the beginning, in your metaphor of teaching the valves? Keep on blowing in the free world!

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for the comment. So glad you were able to get something good out of the video. I am not sure I understand your question about the daddy, baby, and granddaddy, but would be happy to answer it if you clarify it. Good luck with the trumpet!

[tubagypsie]

This is extremly helpful. I just switched from Tuba to Euphonium today, and I'm having trouble on my embouchure from the varying sizes (Although I went from playing Trumpet since fourth grade to tuba in ninth).

[PianoWallaby]

Hi. Thanks for your comment. As far as your embouchure goes, you might keep one thing in mind: the placement of your jaw. If you notice trouble with a particular note, try raising or lowering your jaw a bit, and see if you can get it to work. In general, lower notes need a lower jaw. Good luck!

[PianoWallaby]

Thank you for your comment. Congrats on 2nd chair! I will put the cleaning video on my list of possible future videos. Thanks again for your comment.

[LlamaHayley]

Awesome. This is really helpful. I just started taking band this school year (baritone dur) and I'm 2nd chair now :D. Thanks for posting it and stuff. Its coming to a time where I have to clean it though, and im not sure how to really do that. Could you maybe post a video about it?

[PianoWallaby]

Hi, thanks for the comment! Sorry if the family tree is confusing. Yeah, I wish they had made the instruments differently: wouldn't it be much more logical if the 1st valve lowered the note 1 half step, and the 2nd valve lowered the note 2 half steps, and the 3rd valve lowered the note 3 half steps? Then we could forget the whole family tree! Thanks again for the comment; I will definitely keep that in mind!

[trojanline]

thanks for all the lessons...however, will you cut out with all the family tree analogies and just use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd valves. You're confusing people............me. thx!

[Songuine]

I watched this with my 67 year old mum who wants to learn a brass instrument. She says it gave her a real buzz! Absolutely fascinating. I also found it fascinating...very scientific. = Thanks for sharing! I guess we'll be watching more of your valve works!

[PianoWallaby]

I am glad to hear that you and your mum enjoyed the video. It has always seemed to me that there was too much emphasis on rote memorization in teaching musical instruments (and brass instruments, in particular) at the expense of communicating an understanding of the principles behind the instrument. The principles make the learning alot easier. And the easier the learning, the more fun we have, the more we practice, the better we get. Thanks again for watching, and feel free to ask questions.

[xXxmileyXxXfanXxX]

Lol I'm in 10th grade and I've played: Tuba (6th grade),euphonium and baritone(7th-8th grade),I march with the fluglehorn(from 9th) fill in for the french horn (melophone)(from 9th) started cornet few years ago(8th) and now play trumpet during concert band.(from 9th)

Anyways, very good instructional guide.

[PianoWallaby]

That's impressive. I have a question for you: With all your experience, you have no doubt noticed that the fingering systems for all the instruments are the same, but what do you think about the different mouthpiece sizes? Is it easy for you to switch between big mouthpieces (like tuba) and small mouthpieces (like cornet)? Do you have a method for switching quickly? Would love to hear about your experiences and any tricks you might have in this regard. Thanks for the comment.

[xXxmileyXxXfanXxX]

We'll the only thing I really do is try to keep a good embouchure and I do NOT keep the mouthpiece even on both sides per say I usually have my upper lip curved in a little while playing the smaller mouthpieces.

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks.

[cherrydalehell]

This video was pretty helpful. I have to learn sousaphone for marching band but I'm having trouble buzzing. I don't quite know how to do it properly. Could you help?

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have now added video #7, in which buzzing is handled.

[StryperFanInNM]

is that a Couesnon Tuba?

[PianoWallaby]

It's a Mirafone. Don't know from what year, though, as I bought it used.

[StryperFanInNM]

cool. I used to have a Couesnon tuba that looked similar to it. very good presentation btw.

[PianoWallaby]

Thanks! I appreciate the positive feedback. Let me know if you have any other comments, or suggestions for future videos.

[Juju798]

wow, nice explanation!! I always wondering how it works and, I just understood... all! I don't play the tuba but I really want to but, it's so expensive :/ That makes me sick :( No one knows what I could do? Thank you for this video.

[PianoWallaby]

A new, professional tuba can be very expensive (e.g. $8000), but you can find a good used one for a lot less (e.g. $200). Look on Ebay, or a pawn shop, or a music store. Take a friend who plays, if you can. I put off buying one for a long time, too, because I was afraid of how much it would cost. In the end I found a good one for $300. And now I wish I hadn't waited so many years. There's just nothing that sounds like a tuba, is there!?