Baritone/Euphonium Care & Maintenance Page

The Basics

Posture

Sit on the edge of your chair, and always keep your:

• Spine straight and tall
• Shoulders back and relaxed
• Feet flat on the floor

Breathing & Airstream

Breathing is a natural thing we all do constantly. To discover the correct airstream to play your instrument:

• Place the palm of your hand near your mouth.
• Inhale deeply through the corners of your mouth, keeping your shoulders steady. Your waist should expand like a balloon.
• Slowly whisper "tah" as you gradually exhale air into your palm.

The air you feel is the airstream. It produces sound through the instrument. Your tongue is like a faucet or valve that releases the airstream.

Producing The Essential Tone

"Buzzing" through the mouthpiece produces your tone. The buzz is a fast vibration in the center of your lips. Your embouchure (ahm'-bah-shure) is your mouth's position on the mouthpiece of the instrument. A good embouchure takes time and effort, so carefully follow these steps for success:

BUZZING

• Moisten your lips.
• Bring your lips together as if saying the letter "m."
• Relax your jaw to separate your upper and lower teeth.
• Form a slightly puckered smile to firm the corners of your mouth.
• Direct a full airstream through the center of your lips, creating a buzz.
• Buzz frequently without your mouthpiece.

MOUTHPIECE PLACEMENT

• Form your "buzzing" embouchure.
• Center the mouthpiece on your lips. Your teacher may suggest a slightly different mouthpiece placement.
• Take a full breath through the corners of your mouth.
• Start your buzz with the syllable "tah." Buzz through the center of your lips keeping a steady, even buzz. Your lips provide a cushion for the mouthpiece.

Taking Care Of Your Baritone

Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:

• Use the water key to empty water from the instrument. Blow air through it.
• Remove the mouthpiece. Once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water. Dry thoroughly.
• Wipe off the instrument with a clean soft cloth. Return the instrument to its case.

Baritone valves occasionally need oiling. To oil your baritone valves:

• Unscrew the valve at the top of the casing.
• Lift the valve half-way out of the casing.
• Apply a few drops of special brass valve oil to the exposed valve.
• Carefully return the valve to is casing. When properly inserted, the top of the valve should easily screw back into place.

Be sure to grease the slides regularly. Your director will recommend special slide grease and valve oil, and will help you apply them when necessary.

Getting It Together

Step 1: Rest the baritone across your lap so the bell faces upward and the mouthpiece receiver points toward you.

Step 2: Carefully twist the mouthpiece to the right into the mouthpiece receiver.

Step 3: Place your right thumb in the thumb ring. Rest your fingertips on the top of the valves, keeping your wrist straight. Your fingers should curve naturally.

Step 4: Place your left hand on the third valve slide or on the tubing next to this slide. Lift the instrument up toward you.

Step 5: Be sure you can comfortably reach the mouthpiece. Hold the baritone as shown above.

Information above provided by Hal Leonard from the Essential Elements Methods Books.

Demonstration Videos

Euphonium Assembly

How To Hold Your Euphonium

First Sounds on Euphonium

Valve and Tuning Slide Care for Euphonium

Cleaning Your Euphonium