Sullivan: Pineapple Poll: Suite from the Ballet

David Werden
Pineapple Poll should indeed sound effortless. Remember that it is not a solo passage, but is played with the low woodwinds and should blend with them. Almost every player will have the best luck with alternate fingerings in this passage (usually 4 to 124, or for noncompensating euphoniums 4 to 234; used just about everywhere except during the scales). Even if you can play it with standard fingerings, the extra mechanical noise will get in the way. It must sound light, so don't play with quite as much air through every single note (one of the few technical passages I'll say that about), but rather 'skim' a little more. The important thing is to create the idea of the line; just support the woodwinds.

Neal Corwell
The only reason this excerpt is requested at auditions is to test your 4th-valve technique and your control and sound quality in the lower register. In an actual concert performance, this passage is completely buried in the orchestration (Sorry Mr. Mackerras [the arranger], but you messed up on this one!). Nevertheless, all military band euphonium "wanna bees" need to play this excerpt accurately. I suggest you use your metronome, starting VERY slowly, and working out everything patiently. The key is to break apart the excerpt into small passages until you can get all bars individually. Then put the smaller passages together until you can go from beginning to end without a stop. Once you get to that stage, you have to work on deep full breaths and a judicious use of air to get from the beginning to appropriate breathing spots (bars 8 & 12). Remember, the faster you can play it, the bigger richer sound you can use without running out of air. If your four valve is on top (not played with the left hand), I wish you good luck!