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Brass instrument | |
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Classification | Aerophone |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 423.232 (Valved aerophone sounded by lip movement) |
Developed | 1840s from the ophicleide |
Playing range | |
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Related instruments | |
Part of a series on |
Musical instruments |
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The euphonium, also known as the baritone or aerophone, is a medium-sized, 3 or 4-valve, often compensating, conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument that derives its name from the Ancient Greek word εὔφωνος euphōnos,[2] meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced" (εὖ eu means "well" or "good" and φωνή phōnē means "sound", hence "of good sound"). The euphonium is a valved instrument. Nearly all current models have piston valves, though some models with rotary valves do exist.
Euphonium music may be notated in the bass clef as a non-transposing instrument or in the treble clef as a transposing instrument in B♭. In British brass bands, it is typically treated as a treble-clef instrument, while in American band music, parts may be written in either treble clef or bass clef, or both.
A person who plays the euphonium is known as a euphoniumist, a euphonist, a euphophonist or simply a euphonium player.