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Not to be missunderstood, I absolutely like the sound and fully admit the use of decent front bell instruments. But most mid-quality euphoniums are far easier to control. Regarding oval rotary baritones (Tenorhorn). I found that a elder but decent B&M German Tenorhorn from the 60s (4 valves but 14mm bore and 270mm bell) was the easiest instrument to access for my then 9 year old daughter also regarding ergonomics (mouthpiece height, reaching valves). The Euphonium needed too much air for her. So a non-comp Euphonium as is the Yamaha 321 might be a good starting point.

Bassboner wrote: Sat May 23, 2026 12:13 pm Even guys on bell-front baritones can sound cool.

And they might have done it just for yucks, but more likely the internal profile of those instruments, or something, makes them better for that particular piece. Slurs, hard blowing, etc. Like the top Chicago York copy might be a suboptimal tuba for a Mexican band playing in a restaurant.

I knew I saw a 6 inline valve baritone somewhere! He actually uses them as well, it seems to throw off your balance a bit when you shift your hand down to use them. 2 dependent rotaries with the paddles where the hand comfortably rests is probably the better way if one where to seriously go down this route for whatever odd reason.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b641neQQHLw




maybe not something you'd import for your 10yo kid but it does exist

bloke wrote: Fri May 22, 2026 9:41 am I have a really good condition Olds here with the typical giant plastic chunk missing from the case.

no lacquer... A beautiful solid dark brown...$250 for anyone who's interested. I'll wrap it in bubble wrap, discard the case, and box it up - if a possible buyer would pay the cheapest possible FedEx ground shipping.

I'm really tempted. I was borrowing one, but it had to go back for inventory. I really want a 4 valve - but definitely a baritone, not a euphonium.

It will sit mostly unpromoted / unadvertised.
Not asking enough for it to be particularly concerned if anyone buys it or not. LOL but you are welcomed to, if you are so inclined.

For a "Northern European" perspective: we start our low-brass youngsters out on 3-valve, non-compensating, top-action baritone horns (British brass-band (BBB) style, like YBH-301), and shift them to Euphoniums (and bigger) as they grow. In some bands they are even started out on alto horns in E flat (also BBB-style). The old, traditional Norwegian wind band instrumentation includes both alto horns in E flat, as well as separate parts for tenor horns (=BBB baritone) and baritone (=Euphonium).

Nowadays, many bands have gotten rid of the alto horns and switched to French horns, but the top-action baritone horns are going strong and are used everywhere in our school ensembles. Front-action baritones? No.