“A band is only as good as its euphonium section.” John Philip Sousa, American Composer & Conductor
Wise words from the father of the Sousaphone! Whether you are out marching with the band, or at home practicing, browse our sheet music, tuition books and scores, and discover the wide world of the euphonium today!
The euphonium is a lower brass instrument that belongs to the saxhorn or bugle family, due to its conical bore. This also includes the flugelhorn, tenor horn, baritone horn and tuba.
The difference between the euphonium, the baritone horn and the tenor horn lies in their construction. The euphonium’s conical build starts right from the mouthpiece, while the baritone and tenor horns begin with a cylindrical bore, that only later changes into a conical shape. The tenor horn, being slightly smaller, sounds significantly brighter than the euphonium. The baritone horn} however, is almost identical to the euphonium in its size and range, and the main difference is the bell. The euphonium has a wider bell than the baritone horn, creating a deeper, more rounded sound.
Although the sound of the euphonium may be reminiscent of a small tuba, it is often scored in the tenor or baritone clefs. Did you know that ‘euphonium’ is Greek for ‘sweet’ or ‘good sounding’?