Song for Ina (Philip Sparke) - Tutorial by Steven Mead

There is no doubt that this composition, Song for Ina by Philip Sparke Is one of the most popular slow expressive solos in the euphonium repertoire today. It exists with piano and brass band accompaniment.
In this series of tutorials, Steven Mead explains his approach to this work, and how to make it most satisfying to play and also for the listener. Aspects of phrasing, expression, use of dynamics and articulation and shaping of the music are all considered in this video. We hope you find it interesting.
It was recorded in his studio at home on 14th April 2020, and the equipment used was an iPhone 11pro with a Shure MV88 microphone.

[@roystone9932]

He says " hope you find it useful " , Steven , you have just made the WHOLE piece make sense for me , if it wasn,t 10.30 PM , i,d have my euph out and having a go . Thank you so much for going in to such depth , It,s a lovely piece , one of my faves , i,ll be playing it tomorrow for sure .

[@user-wy8gg7fg4y]

ありがとうございます！長野県上伊那郡箕輪町にすんでいます！！I live in ina!!

[@user-fw2vl9om8v]

なんて言ってるかわかんない😭 一生追いつけないだろうけど、ずっとミードさんのこと目標にしてます！

[@user-di1nv5zb5w]

字幕つきましたよ！

[@filipsnarski5812]

Maybe I'll try to learn this piece for my own very usefull tips. Thank you ;) 9:20 beautiful words

[@panda-euph]

Thank you very much！ I'm very happy to see this movie. Thank you for making good movies on KZbin all the time！

[@stevemead1]

Thank you too!

[@abiepaley4835]

Excellent - I'm about to play this after New Year and this tutorial was really useful, so thanks!

[@colinmoss7343]

Hello Stephen. Thank you for taking the time and effort to do this, it’s along time since I played this one but it’s inspired me to get it out again and armed with this tutorial do it better. I’d love to hear your advise on Carrickfergus which is next on my list to play on a concert. Thanks

[@user-wj4dl9ld1b]

hello. I am Japanese. I am watching your video using the translation function. I will enter the contest with this song. At that time, I will refer to your wonderful music. thanks so much.

[@kesera2231]

it is amazing sounds whenever I listen...

[@CedHills]

Thanks so much, Steven. Really inspirational.

[@whatsstandard]

Much appreciated, maestro

[@aaronfoo1018]

Loved the video! Please do more tutorials, especially in times like these. Really does keep me company and is REALLY educational!

[@derekhayes8209]

Thank you Steven for this interesting, helpful and inspiring tutorial. It’s nice to have your insights. I’m not a euphonium player, so I hope you and Philip don’t mind if I practice it on my French horn, Wagner tuba and 4 valved Eb tenor horn. Even so, I always come back to knowing it’s a real euphonium piece! Stay safe and well ya.

[@pepeabe]

Great job Steve! :D By the way, it's indeed the first question comes first of all. ;) Once I asked to Philip about that and he told me that it's second one which you pronounced(like "eena"). ;)

[@muller020986]

Another great video thanks, takes me back to when I was studying this, such a lovely piece. Out of interest, what mouthpiece are you playing off in this?

[@massmanute]

Great presentation. I am working on this piece. By the way, I had an aunt Ina, though she passed away some years ago.

[@pabloalonso740]

Bravo! It sounds incredible and very educational

[@exharius6450]

I love these! Can you do my favorite solo? Panache from Robin Dewhurst! I would love to hear your take on some aspects of this beautifull solo piece!

[@stevemead1]

ok will do

[@chuchun1026]

Thank you Steve, glad to see you in the video. 😊

[@stevemead1]

Thank you dear Zoe :)

[@user-hj3ze5rz6i]

13:31

[@ricoworlds7983]

Hey Steven mead out to curiosity which mouthpiece is specific is that one ??…..I own 3 of you Denis Wick Steven mead mouthpieces and they sound wonderful

[@moondine3563]

Thanks for the video! I’m a high school senior interested in keeping euphonium throughout college and I absolutely loved this solo when I heard it the first time. By any chance, do you have any tips or an already existing video on developing a secure vibrato?

[@fredrik952]

I have just gotten the notes for this song. You talk about F and Eb being sharp and to hold it down, I don't have a trigger. Don't you have a bit of the same problem on the G as well? On the G, can you replace 12 with 3 to bring it down? 1 and 14 is a new one for me, should probably try that one out.

[@wBlakeee]

Hi, is this mouthpiece still coming out?

[@user-gv8hs4fe9y]

What mouthpiece do you use?

[@stevemead1]

a very good one...new...more info soon (Wick)

[@yuji9428]

Hi Steve! Thank you uploaded are awesome videos that tutorials for “Pantomime” and that. I’m Yuji, living in Japan and running community band. I have a request. Would you mind allow us to post a translation for your video? I am trying to translate your talk into Japanese. There are many your fans in Japan. I hope they can learn more effectively by a translated text. Looking forward to hearing back from you!

[@stevemead1]

Thank you very much for your message. I am very interested that my teaching is understood by Japanese musicians, and if you think that this would be possible, you have my full permission. Thank you very much.

[@stevemead1]

Do you know that KZbin has a translation system with the caption bottom in the right-hand corner of the screen when you watch?

[@yuji9428]

Steven Mead My english may not be good. But I will be able to tell them more good things through my knowledge and experience of music.

[@yuji9428]

Steven Mead Yes, I know that system.

[@yuji9428]

support.google.com/youtube/answer/6052538?hl=en Please refer to this page so that I can post translations.

[@louisthomas367]

Hi Steven do you still use the lefreque plates

[@THIAGO-gc9ff]

Amookl