Steven Mead: 'You Play a What??'

Interview with Steven Mead on the Euphonium.
Euphoniumvirtuoso Steven Mead visited Holland in february 2011 for some masterclasses. In this interview he talks about his beloved instrument: the euphonium
video: Ruud Ritzen

[@swarzn8r]

"Oh you're in band? What do you play?" "The euphonium." "A what?" "A small tuba."

[@Frank72728]

"the baby tuba"

[@Neromatter]

Michael Swarz YES EXACTLY OH MY GOD

[@avahattam1451]

+Michael Swarz sad but true

[@ActicAnDroid]

+Michael Swarz Except in Marching Band. Then we more closely resemble a "Fat Trumpet."

[@bradywood459]

+ActicAnDroid or a fat mellophone

[@Elizabeth_-lq3jk]

"I play the Euphonium" "A what??""You know what a tuba is?! Of course you do, its like that, but smaller." I have had that conversation so. many. Times....

[@mathbrown9099]

Steven is the nicest human being and the finest of musicians. The Euphonium is becoming a very popular band instrument for student musicians. I’ve had quite a good career playing the instrument-I play only a little today, but used to play a great deal, and not poorly. I think highly of his work and the way he’s influenced the craft.

[@aaronfoo1018]

It's been 10 years and he still goin. MY MAN!!!

[@karihommedal]

"Title of a authobiography: You play a what?" Love it!! And he is right, it is the most beautiful musical instrument in the world :)

[@Kulara]

"Oh, it's a piano !" ... "Yes, it's a piano"

[@johnries5593]

The way I have traditionally looked at it, if you're a normal brass player, you play trumpet or trombone; if you're somewhat eccentric, you play french horn or tuba; and if you're really weird, you play baritone (what I play) or euphonium.

[@turtleluvr69]

i play the euphonium and beleve me i get that question all the time

[@META_mahn]

"You play a what? Euphonium?" "It's like a baritone." "Oh, ok."

[@loganceiley4731]

No one else knows the struggle

[@anobixx]

You should be happy. If i wanna explain it goes like this. What do you play? Euphonium, A what??? Baritone, A what?? A Smaller tuba, A what??? A big trumpet, Why didn't you say so

[@Setupjustsoicancomme]

2:24 thank you! We play the most beautiful instrument in the world! We gotta stick together Euphs!

[@jordangilbert6710]

Kacey Smith EUPHO👌🏽

[@peternotarfrancesco2614]

Truly great instrument IMHO

[@ajtheown]

This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Every euphonium player should see this.

[@clementecarignano]

Grande Umanità E meraviglioso CONCERTISTA ! BRAVO STEVE !

[@jaycodling45]

Common misconception. The difference between a Euphoniums and Baritones are NOT whether or not your horn has three or four values because there ARE Baritones with four values (although quite rare) and Euphoniums with three values. The difference is that the Baritone is a cylindrical instrument and the Euphoniums is a conical instrument. Similar in sound, but provide COMPLETELY different tone qualities.

[@frednich9603]

makkari1 you're close. A baritone i more like a cornet and a euphonium is more like a flugelhorn. The only valved tenor voice in the brass family is the the Bass trumpet or the trombonium.

[@jaycodling45]

lol, i said that

[@frednich9603]

***** no it isn't. You said the Baritone is a cylindrical instrument. It's not, it's just less conical than the euphonium. Like my example said, the cornet and the Flugelhorn are both conical, but one is MORE conical than the other. Bass trumpet and Trumpet are cylindrical. Baritone and cornet are slightly conical, and Euphonium and Flugelhorn are very conical. I really can't say it more clearly than that

[@nicholastrombone9899]

Wait the three valve euphonium is rare? I have one it is badly made but still it I a three valve euph

[@ashtonmoore8703]

I have a 3 valve baritone, a 4 valve euphonium, and a 4 valve baritone

[@RustyDiver]

It's been answered pretty well here (conical bore, etc), but the late great bandmaster/composer Karl King once defined it this way: "A euphonium is a baritone played well." :)

[@EuphPlayer115]

I was in an airport in Venice leaving Italy, and when trying to describe what a Euphonium is is, one of the people who worked for airport security asked "Is it like a Clarinet?"

[@memedealer8370]

Being a clarinet player myself, and brother of a Euphonium Player, I'm pretty sure there are some key differences between the two. The largest one? They are nothing alike.

[@martefromocr]

Believe it or not he went to my house for dinner some years ago. My dad is also an euphonium player and they played togheter.

[@jennifercramp3542]

I played Euphonium in High School. It's my favorite instrument! 💜

[@yaleufox1158]

Steven mead is incredible!

[@richardgordon8110]

Steven . I agree. Its a gorgeous instrumemt.

[@johnries5593]

Curiously enough, when I started taking my baritone to school with me, my classmates joked that I was carrying a bomb. Then again, my cello in its case looked a bit like a cannon. The price of playing large instruments.

[@Kokofa101]

Haha same here, my euphonium in its case looks like a bomb, same with my cello haha. I leave my tuba at school because its too much to bring haha

[@aaronberns8485]

It’s 2021, 10 years after the video was made. I wonder if he’s still enjoying it.

[@vampire909011]

I agree with one of the posts below, the subjects in this interview are so true in this world. I am a euphonium player myself and its tough going into college seeing the only thing you can do is solo in a military band, or teach. Very great interview steven.

[@peternotarfrancesco2614]

Or play in a balkan brass band. Pls look up Zlatne Uste in brooklyn.

[@Volmortanto]

A euphonium has a larger bell and wider and longer tubes creating a deeper sound the baritone is therefore smaller and its sound is closer to that of an average(alto I believe) trombone.

[@JelloowB]

In 2010, when I was still with my previous Fanfare, we had a anniversary and he came to play with us a couple songs and he also played some by himself.. we played Bravura, Pokarekare Ana and Hora staccato

[@2010euph]

oh, I didn't know that. Yeah, on the euphoniums the Prestige wasn't much different than the Sovereign I played in high school. I just recently bought a Meinl Weston 451 and it is amazing!

[@jessicabarton6590]

a piano? that's the best one haha

[@yoongistangerine4617]

When I tell people i play the euphonium their like " what is that?" And I say "a mini tuba" then they are like "ohhhhh"

[@glbmusic]

Thank you for this wonderful video!!!

[@kevindaymusic]

This is a very great interview. Steven Mead is someone I have always looked up to. I aim to be just like him one day. :D

[@RMoribayashi]

I fell in love with the euphonium in my youth, but I since came from three generations of trombonists I didn't have much choice. The trombone didn't take though. I ended up playing rhythm guitar and 1970's generation "one note at a time" synthesizers. I loved to emulate the euphonium with my ARP 2600, one of the best of the early synths. It made for a great lead or harmony line and always surprised the audience.

[@johnries5593]

Of course, you had a choice. Trombonists might roll their eyes at you, but they would have accepted you as a euphonist eventually (maybe even secretly admiring you). And assuming your fingers aren't broken and you can still breathe, it's not too late to pick it up.

[@TheSproutarian]

No-one plays the euphonium with easy like Steven Mead. l invited him out to Australia in the 90's.

[@manuelfernando1]

i´ll try to bring you to colombia for next year!!!!

[@johnries5593]

Even Steven Mead fantasizes about playing euphonium with a symphony orchestra? Somehow, I find that comforting.

[@jordangilbert6710]

People always call mine a big trumpet or a small tuba. I tell them it’s the Jesus Horn. I love my Euphonium❤️

[@intomlinson]

@2010euph and a model of baritone, tenor horn and cornet as well.

[@alexpwatkins]

"You Play The What" is going to be right next to my copy of "Song and Wind"

[@JalenPhace]

I myself am a Trombone Player for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine, I've invested some time into the Euphonium because of its similarities to the Trombone, for Jazz Band and Certain other bands I prefer Trombone but for warmer, thicker pieces I prefer the Euphonium and the Baritone for the richer tone.

[@l1z4rd4]

His head looks like a smoother version of Mike's from Breaking Bad.

[@alexpwatkins]

I love Mead singing like tone

[@juudruud]

@2MuchSkill The song is called 'Preghiera' from the Opera Lo Scudiero del Re.

[@前酢アニー]

I wish him to come Sasebo, my hometown in Japan.

[@ajtheown]

Awesome! Listening to good people is a great way to get better! But of course you still have to practice :)

[@Billybillybillyrocking]

And this reason of not making money playing euphonium caused me to quit band because I saw no future I could be happy doing this. But now 4 or 5 years later after high school, idc I miss it. It's still hard, but I can find a way to make money for my family. Maybe an online solo career. Idk. But change can happen, it takes time.

[@intomlinson]

@2010euph they produced 3 and 4 valve versions of the baritone. There's no point getting the prestige as it just adds gold bits into it!

[@Eufonio89]

Stupendo il brano di sottofondo....

[@blakewojtysiak5424]

You should write that autobiography, I would read it. Euphoniums are WAY underrated, you can change that.

[@bckm54]

I have been thinking about commissioning a piece, a "Sinfonia Concertante", for Viola, Contrabassoon, and orchestra. I wanted a third instrument, an "in between" instrument, that would support the middle voice between the viola and contrabassoon. I wanted either a French horn or a "tenor tuba", but the euphonium seems to have that velvety middle voice I wanted.

[@johnries5593]

And if you were to write in tenor tuba, the part would certainly be played most often on the euphonium anyway,

[@intomlinson]

My Baritone has 4 valves, a Besson Sovereign 4-Valve

[@MrFunnpun]

Not necessarily. Baritones have smaller bores than euphs; therefore having a brighter sound. Euphs have deeper and a more mellow sound

[@2010euph]

Yes, but doesn't the Sovereign model of baritone only come with 3 valves? The Prestige baritone has a 4th valve, but the Sovereign only had 4 valves on the euphonium.

[@bmxgeneral]

@ajtheown, well im happy i did! :D

[@kingstonefish9441]

I know that "You play a what?"

[@Adowel123]

You could make the same video with a flugelhorn player

[@Nirojeki]

I can agree with him. I am a euphonium player and no one even knows what that is

[@subninja8069]

I have been to that airport when I was heading to Egypt, with my wife. We were going there for a wedding in 2015. its a peio "facepalm slap"

[@801Altoid]

What is the difference between a Baritone horn and a Euphonium?

[@euphonium2012]

muito exeleite quero ser assim um dia

[@pud3222]

THATS WHAT I PLAY YAY

[@makenzileg]

"Officer: ..And now I want you to play me something classical. Mead: Oh, what would you like? Officer: How about.. *hums* Mead: Well, that’s, “Horn Concerto” by Mozart What key would you like it in? Well, I’m glad he didn't give me a proper answer, because I only know it in one key." lol, CLASSIC

[@makenzileg]

The struggle!

[@Chris4112901]

What was the song in the beggining. Its pretty

[@MrBravoLOL]

May i know what is that piece/song at the beginning?

[@Shelly1Rox1Music]

"It's a piano." "Yes."

[@PatentClerk]

Woman: It's a piano!!! Mead: .......yes

[@hanskramer9395]

Does anybody know how the song in the Background is called?

[@patrickrivera1254]

Hans Kramer poet and peasant joke

[@scorchmaster1997]

I found a fellow baritone/euphonium

[@Nintendoman851]

Does anyone know the song that plays in the background at the beginning?

[@FreezingGamer1]

Nintendoman851 napoli

[@Nintendoman851]

The song at the very beginning.

[@puther23]

Nintendoman851 do you have the cd Bella Italia ?? Its on this disc ;)

[@lukesteinbach9407]

I agree with everything this guy has to say lol

[@runescapeXDful]

people trying to think what the instrument is depressing, its really sad that this istrument isnt as famous as any other concert instrument like a trombone.

[@southersledgehammer]

the asians at 1:46 and look at him and say in there mind "hes better than me, how?"

[@CaptainApathetic]

@SvStheShow me too

[@TheLuuable]

u r so awesome, im luisa from facebook. u added me today:)

[@MrFunnpun]

I wish he could be my teacher.

[@grigoreeufonistul]

at 9'40 !!!!!! my hart jump up !!!!

[@ihatenjoi]

>Tennessee >Tuba/Euphonium student >TTU >Winston Morris Learn from the low brass lord.

[@alexpwatkins]

I dont like how people try to say that childs and others are better

[@ClearBlackWater]

Can't he be my private lesson teacher D:

[@alexpwatkins]

Mead likes Motown who knew

[@johnjoejohn10]

3 valve compensating.

[@jovitakasper_euph]

Everyone is asking to me: Can you play some 5 or more notes.... They all thinking it's just 4 notes..... BUT WHEY ARE SO FAKE!!!

[@patrickrivera1254]

can i join?

[@2010euph]

The Sovereign is a euphonium

[@brasschick4214]

Chase Failing - Sovereign was an instrument level across all valved Besson Brass band instruments, not just Euphoniums.

[@mooreg87]

In addition...Euphonium = Conical. Baritone = Cylindrical.

[@cstahl24]

or as we call it the baritone. Since we don't have very many legit baritone horns here

[@SecondaryVoltage]

3:34 LOL

[@irSteven]

It's a piano...yes, yes it is...

[@BennyNgYK]

People always say "WTF is a euphonium" ?

[@alextolbert6470]

Exatley

[@WHJ_00]

what brand is it?

[@tstthomason]

I believe the horn is a Besson Prestige 2052

[@WHJ_00]

oh thx seems to be awesome euphonium

[@williecareri6728]

lavanic thekidrs It is. It's used by Steven Mead, David Childs, Glenn Van Looy, and many other famous euphonium players.

[@Zacharias6]

French Horn is king...

[@puulanetohtlane6149]

And...?.....

[@littlemeisei]

It's a piano.

[@SvStheShow]

I just carry around 3 kilograms of metal....for fun. :D

[@DouggieDinosaur]

The euphonium is a glitch in the simulation. It doesn't exist for everybody. Some people say the word 'euphonium' is not recognized by spell-checkers. Fact Check: all spell-checkers recognize euphonium. These same people claim they live in a universe where euphoniums exist in several configurations instead of the international standard version that was developed 350 years ago. The craziest theory is the Tuba Mandela Effect where people swear they've seen and heard a euphonium but they actually have not because their universe only has tubas.

[@1234joshscott]

a euphonium has 4 valves, a baritone has 3

[@halliesampson1240]

I play euphonium. no euphonium. its like a tuba, but not, no. Hi I play trombone.

[@kevincasey1550]

Trombone is just as close to the human voice and can make vocal effects much better then euphonium

[@DavidGrimes2112]

Not really...

[@nicholastrombone9899]

Yes it is at least to my voice euph doesn't match

[@bobow4075]

Euphoniums are conical trombones are not.

[@bwade8786]

I agree. I play both

[@angel9310]

Haha. *No* No it can't

[@mikeowen2671]

You couldn't study the sax in UK either until the late 80s. Ridiculous.

[@patrickrivera1254]

pasama

[@Metal-Possum]

Oh boy, another show off...