Mailbag: Practicing the High Range
With the start of the semester a few questions have come in related to playing, and one topic I could pull out of them is the general topic of practicing in the high range. A quote from a low horn book...
View ArticleFERPA and the Modern Horn Studio
One thing that you might have observed if you follow several horn studios or horn teachers on Facebook or Instagram is the wildly different approaches to FERPA. What is FERPA? The Family Educational...
View ArticleEmbouchure Health — Flexibility Training compared to Strength Training
Among those that follow professional football, you might have noted some of the discussion related to the return of Tom Brady this season. For those that don’t know, he is the 45-year-old quarterback...
View ArticleTwo Works by Underrepresented Composers to Consider for a Recital
Last weekend I shared a recital with Dr. Deanna Swoboda, our tuba/Euphonium professor at ASU. Besides two trios (with piano) we both played two solos. She featured works by Hispanic composers, and for...
View ArticleTuckwell Master Class, 1982: Part I, F. Strauss, Gliere, Strauss 2:3
Recently I stumbled across my notes from the first big horn master class I ever attended, on October 18, 1982 with Barry Tuckwell at the University of Kansas. It probably was not the very first master...
View ArticleTuckwell Master Class, 1982: Part II, Hindemith, Strauss 2:1, and Q&A
As mentioned in part I, recently I stumbled across my notes from the first big horn master class I ever attended, October 18, 1982 with Barry Tuckwell at the University of Kansas. That Saturday was one...
View ArticleThe Upper Lip and your Low Range
Hidden way back in the site in articles from 2009 and 2010 are two articles that show something important about how the low range works — at least how it works correctly. Vibrating with no interference...
View ArticleRoutines, and the Better Horn Players
I recently had a thought, that playing the French horn well favors people with a strong sense (and need for) routine. Let me explain. I have mentioned at various times in this site, my son has Down...
View ArticleKruspe Dreaming, part I: A Concert on a Kruspe
In several posts I have talked about how just before the pandemic I was able to obtain a low milage 1948 Kruspe horn. This is not just a Kruspe-style horn, it is an actual Kruspe made by the firm that...
View ArticleKruspe Dreaming II: The Tuckwell Kruspe
Years ago, I remember one of my teachers saying that Tuckwell sounded better on his Kruspe. By the time I heard him play live he was on his modified Holton 180, which was I believe the main horn you...
View ArticleKruspe Dreaming, III: A Very Big (and Early) Kruspe
In this series I’ve focused on my ca. 1948 Kruspe, but I have also been able to spend some time with another, older Kruspe Horner model. This example is from I would guess around WWI. One of the most...
View ArticleGeyer Dreaming, part I: The Best New Horn Design of 1923 …
In 1923, “after much experimentation,” Carl Geyer (1880-1973) made the first example of what we would call today a Geyer style double horn. Our source is pretty authoritative; this date and information...
View ArticleMental Health and Horn Playing
For many years, I struggled with performance anxiety. When exposed passages came up in ensemble rehearsals and performances, I would get noticeably nervous. It wasn’t until years after graduating from...
View ArticleGeyer Dreaming II: The Development of his Horn
Continuing our look at Carl Geyer and his horns, as noted in part I he had his own shop running by 1918. At that point he still was making double horns on the Schmidt design, with the piston valve for...
View ArticleMental Health and Horn Playing: The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
I think that it is rather common for people to turn inwards when having anxious thoughts. For horn players, this might translate to internal dialogues, such as: My chops are tired – I sure hope I make...
View ArticleGeyer Dreaming, III: Let’s Visit the Geyer Shop
Ever visit a horn makers shop? I have been fortunate to visit several, but never the shop of Carl Geyer. Fortunately, Milan Yancich and Thomas Bacon both have stories that paint the picture for us...
View ArticleMental Health and Horn Playing: Anxiety and Daily Routines
About 15 years ago I fell into a playing slump. I had stopped doing my daily routines and started relying on freelance work and playing in student lessons to stay in shape. Over time my horn playing...
View ArticleImprove your Technique by Improving your Valve Lever Position
Over the break I’ve had a chance to really look at some questions I had about the valve lever position positions on my three double horns. My fall semester episode Early in the fall semester I was...
View ArticlePSA: Your Horn will Play Better if the Valves are Correctly Aligned
French horn rotary valves have marks on the top, as seen below. These marks are put there by the valve maker when making the valve, and should be correct for optimal rotation.** Check the outer mark...
View ArticleGeyer Dreaming IV: The Custom Horn Maker, and a Closer Look at Geyer 223
One question I have heard in relation to custom horn makers is this; are they just assembling parts? What makes them better than just buying a factory horn? Horn assembler, or horn maker? Typically,...
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