Brass Techniques - Final Exam (Horn, Tuba, and Euphonium)

What is the most commonly used horn?

Bb F double horn

Why is Bb F horn the most commonly used horn?

Because it has the tuning of two horns in one

Which horn is known as the “beginner horn?”

F horn

Which European orchestra uses their own special horn, and what is different about it?

Vienna Philharmonic; it has a crook

What is the name of the horn used in the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, and what is different about its sound?

The Vienna horn, it’s said to be darker & blends better

What is a triple horn/descant horn?

A horn with extra tubing, also called F Bb F horn, and has an extended higher register

Why is F horn better for beginners?

The F horn is lighter, also said to be easier to play

What is stopped horn?

The hand cups the entire hole in the bell. This changes the harmonic series, creating an entirely different horn. Changes the register by a half step.

How is stopped horn written?

As a plus sign above the note

When would students learn stopped horn?

In the ninth or tenth grade at least.

What is the tone quality of stopped horn?

It sounds metallic

Which instrument is the predecessor to the euphonium?

The saxhorn

Which instrument maker patented the euphonium?

Adolf Sax

What is the primary difference between the baritone and the euphonium?

The baritone is cylindrical, the euphonium is conical

True or false: all four euphoniums are compensating instruments

False

Why does a euphonium have four valves?

To extend the lower register

Which English instrument maker made the compensating euphonium in 1894?

David J. Blakely

Who are three modern euphonium virtuosos?

Steven Meed, Brian Bowman, Demondrae Thurman

What are some advantages of compensating euphonium?

There’s more tubing, which accounts for the built-in intonation problems

True or false: The euphonium is NOT a traditional orchestral instrument

True

Where was the euphonium typically played in the past?

In military bands

Which brass players would typically double on euphonium?

Trombone or tuba players

Name three works that include euphonium.

Holst’s “Planets,” Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” and Janacek’s “Sinfonietta”

Name an intermediate mouthpiece for euphonium.

6.5 Bach AL

Name an advanced mouthpiece for euphonium.

Bach 5G, 4G, Schilke 51D

How does a double horn instrument work?

The keys switch air from one side of the horn’s tubing to the other side of the horn’s tubing

True or false: Horn embouchure is different than the other brass instruments.

True

Do all brass instruments play with their right hand?

No, horn plays with the left hand; all others play with the right.

What does/did the right hand do on a horn?

It can play stopped horn; changes the timbre of the sound based on position; and before there were valves, pitch was changed diatonically based on the position of the hand in the bell.

Which side of the horn is used for the upper register?

The Bb side

Which side of the horn is used for the lower register?

The F side

True or false: there is a different tone between the Bb and F sides of the horn

False

What is the ratio of lip placement for horn embouchure?

2/3 top lip, 1/3 bottom lip

Why is the horn embouchure different?

It accounts for the larger register of the instrument

Name the five instruments in a wind quintet.

Flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon

Why isn’t a French horn French?

It was invented in Germany

What are some disadvantages from starting on F horn?

F horn students will eventually have to learn Bb horn, so some say it’s more efficient to start them on Bb horn

What are some disadvantages from starting on Bb horn?

Bb horn is heavier and more expensive—is less accessible for the beginner horn player.

What note changes from the Bb side of the horn to the F side of the horn?

G sharp

What is the most commonly used tuba?

Double Bb tuba

What do you do if a tuba student is too small to hold the instrument?

Use a tuba stand

Where is a sousaphone used?

In a marching band

What kind of tubas are used for higher tessatura parts?

Smaller ones, i.e. Eb and F tuba

What clef should beginner euphonium students learn to read?

Bass clef

True or false: beginner horn students SHOULD use a deeper cup

False

Name 2 virtuoso tuba players.

Roger Bobo, Patrick Sheridan

True or false: The sacbut is a predecessor to tuba.

False; it’s the predecessor for trombone

What is a factor for picking a tuba student?

Ability to hear pitches (NOT SIZE)