Q&A for How to Play the Baritone

Yes, but the sound might be slightly different, depending on your teeth and lip position.

Purse your lips like you're playing normal notes. Put your top lip over your bottom lip and blow concentrated air downwards. It should make less of a buzzing noise.

If you have a band director, ask him. If not, see if you can move the slide as much as you can without damaging it, and add timing slide grease and exercise it until it comes loose.

To improve your volume, try loosening your embouchure. To improve your timing for taking breaths, try writing commas in your sheet music pretty much everywhere where you could take a breath without messing up the song. When you're playing and you get to one of the commas take a deep breath (try not to make it very audible). Having more air in your lungs will also help your volume as it will allow you to put stronger breaths into each note. If you find that you're taking too many breaths, you can erase a few commas. Practice a lot.

Yes. You are supposed to sit at the front of your chair as the sound will be better.

That was not a marching baritone; it was a regular one turned on its side.

Keep the corners of your mouth tight as you blow into the instrument. If you notice you are puffing your cheeks, tighten them back in while you play so you can get used to that feeling.

Try positioning your hand so your pinkie is resting lower; this will make it easier to reach the valve. Keep in mind that your pinkie will grow stronger over time.

Try unscrewing the valve and adding valve oil to it. If you are having trouble with that, speak to a music instructor or consider getting a replacement.

The steps here should work for any kind of baritone or euphonium, including a marching baritone.