What is the difference between baritone and euphonium?

 

The complete answer involves three instruments, all in the key of B-flat:

 

1. a standard euphonium

2. an American-style euphonium that is often called a baritone

3. a British-style baritone horn.

 

 

Four well-known sources have characterized the distinction as follows:

 

According to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians

 

Baritones - narrow bore

Euphoniums -  wide bore; warm, large tone; deep-cup mouthpiece; tenor

of tuba family

 

 

According to the International Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians

 

Baritones - smaller bore & tone; semi-conical cup mouthpiece; 3 valves

Euphonium - larger bore & tone; semi-conical bore; deep-cup mouthpiece; 3 to 5 valves

 

 

According to the New Harvard Dictionary of Music

 

Baritones - smaller bore; tapered like a cornet

Euphonium - larger bore; tapered like a flugelhorn

 

 

According to the New Oxford Companion to Music 

 

Baritones - narrower bore

Euphoniums - wider bore; called baritone in USA

 

 

 

The main differences between the baritone and Euphonium are as follows:

 

-The Euphonium is a bit larger, the bore is wider, the bell is larger, and conical tubing similar to the shape of funnel.  

 

-The Baritone is bit smaller, the bore is more narrow, the bell is a bit smaller, and cylindrical like a tube.

 

 

As noted above, the wide or larger bore and the larger bell creates a notable difference in sound between the Euphonium and Baritone. Both instruments generally share the same function in a ensemble. Typically the middle and upper bass range is covered by these instruments for melodic purposes. The lower range on these instruments typically follow the same contour as the Tuba. 

 

Here is a sample of the composer PIAZZOLLA, titled, Café 1930 featuring 

Anthony CAILLET - euphonium

Miki FUJII - piano

 

Enregistré dans le Grand Auditorium du Conservatoire de Reims les 9 et 10 Septembre 2013 Son : CASA MIA (Rémi Bourcereau / Anthony Caillet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another sample of the Facilita, theme and variations by John Hartmann. (David Werden was the first American to be named Euphonium Player of the Year.)