Euphonium

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Euphonium

Brass instrument
Classification	Wind, brass Aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	423.232 (Valved aerophone sounded by lip movement)
Developed	1840s from the ophicleide
Playing range
The B♭ euphonium sounds an octave and a major second lower than written when notated in treble clef. It is also notated by its concert pitch in bass clef.[1]
Related instruments
Saxhorns Flugelhorn Alto horn Baritone horn Mellophone Ophicleide Sousaphone Tuba

The euphonium 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.