Euphonium Euphonium The euphonium is a large, conical-bore, baritone-voiced brass instrument that derives its name from the Ancient Greek word "euphōnos", meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced" ( "eu" means "well" or "good" and "phōnē" means "sound", hence "of good sound"). The euphonium is a valved instrument. Nearly all current models have piston valves, though models with rotary valves do exist. The euphonium may be played in bass clef as a non-transposing instrument or in treble clef as a transposing instrument. In British brass bands, it is typically treated as a treble-clef instrument, while in American band music, parts may be written in
Roman tuba Gaul," The Pennsylvania State University. 2.John Ziolkowski, The Roman Bucina: A Distinct Musical Instrument? Roman tuba The "tuba" of ancient Rome is a military signal trumpet, quite different from the modern tuba. The "tuba" (from Latin "tubus", "tube") was produced around 500 BC. Its shape was straight, in contrast to the military "buccina" or "cornu", which was more like the modern sousaphone in curving around the body. Its origin is thought to be Etruscan, and it is similar to the Greek salpinx. About four feet in length, it was made usually of bronze, and was played with a detachable mouthpiece.