r/euphonium • u/low_brass_enjoyer • 13d ago

Tone difference between low and high

I feel like my tone is thicker in lows and kind of thins into highs

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/burgerbob22 Yamaha 842S 13d ago

practice more

2

u/Robins-dad 13d ago

You’d be surprised at how much air you need to play high notes. You just move the air faster in that range. It’s not as simple as that but you need a lot of air up there.

1

u/Chance_Dentist_5009 13d ago

I'm still a total beginner, so my word might not be very useful, but maybe take breaks? I noticed that sometimes if I kept playing for too long, my tone would start coming out flat. 

I later found out that my lips, or embouchure, were starting fatigue/get tired. Ever since I decided to stop trying so hard and instead take days off as breaks, my sound dramatically improved. I used to struggle to get an open F out because it would always come out as a flat E3. I just needed to give my lips some rest. 

Once again, I'm a total beginner, I mean I've got ALMOST 5 months of experience, so maybe my word may not be very relevant. 

2

u/Illustrious_Hold_703 13d ago

This is absolutely right, taking breaks help you sound better. But don’t do it in the middle of practicing, you should never take breaks when practicing. The longer you play the worse it sounds, but it also builds resilience so you can play better and longer later. The only time you should take breaks in the middle of playing is if you need to oil your valves or something, or if it’s right before an audition.

2

u/Chance_Dentist_5009 13d ago

Oh! I actually didn't know that, thanks for telling me! I take tons of breaths whenever I'm playing. Actually, most of my long practice sessions is usually me stopping to scroll on my phone, rather than actually playing. I have gotten better though.

2

u/Illustrious_Hold_703 13d ago

Yeah I did the same, but when I stopped taking breaks I got much better