Saturday Funnies Meme Flood! French Horns and Cute Animals Dressed as Humans
Since last Wednesday I have been having some fun creating a number of horn-related memes. As mentioned previously, an Internet meme can contain multiple cultural references. A few of the memes below...
View ArticleRandom Monday: Forecasting, Stereotyping and Hero Worship
Will I get a job before I graduate? This is the time of year that music professors get a lot of questions from prospective students. …The question is, ”Do you think I can get an undergraduate degree...
View ArticleA Composer on ASU
From way back in the archive we have this post from the original Horn Notes Blog dated 12/2/04. It came to mind again as one of the individuals mentioned sucessfully defended his DMA project last...
View ArticleAnatomy of a Gadget Collection: An Overview of 21 Geeky Items and Products
Thinking outside the box is an expression that I take to heart when striving for improvement on the French horn. While this pursuit does have its limitations, there is no harm in trying out new things...
View ArticleArchibald Noodlefish on the Pressures of being a Professional, and the Joys...
Rogue and scoundrel, Archibald Noodlefish is the nose in spite of your face, the proverbial turd in the punch bowl. He also claims to be a consummate professional, in spite of what anyone else says...
View ArticleQuestions on Single and Triple Horns
Recently received from a reader were a series of questions on single horns and triple horns. What is the status of single horns in the modern horn world in terms of manufacturing and market value?...
View ArticleTwo Practical Tips on How to be a Smarter and Happier Team Player
When playing with any classical music ensemble – whether it be large or small – it is really not enough to be technically accomplished and to have practiced your part. The best players have extra...
View ArticleHornmasters: Farkas on Musical Phrasing
Fine musical phrasing sets apart the good from the great hornists. While the topic of musical phrasing is one certainly of concern to all good horn teachers and performers, in terms of publications...
View ArticleRandom Wednesday: Pros and Cons, Odds and Ends
The pros and cons Last Friday, Archibald Noodlefish’s rant raised a question – is it possible to to be like an amateur and a professional musician at the same time? Is it possible to love what you do...
View ArticleOrchestra 101: Playing Extra! Part I: Before the Gig
An important topic not addressed in the original Orchestra 101 series (which starts here) was that of extra horn. As there will be a session related to this Orchestra 101 series at the upcoming IHS...
View ArticleReview: The ‘PowerLung’ Breathing Device
A few weeks ago I caught wind of a breathing device that looked very interesting. It has been around since 1999 and a number of studies and white papers support its efficacy in improving breath...
View ArticleAsk Dave: Where Do I Go to Get a Quality Valve Job?
Chris asks: I have a Yamaha 667 that I have had considerable work done to. I love the horn and am ready for the last step. I need to have the valves rebuilt, but don’t know how to narrow down the...
View ArticleOrchestra 101: Playing Extra! Part II: Before the First Service
So you got the call to play extra with a professional orchestra and you have the music ready to go! What next? The first step is don’t under dress. You are a visitor into a new world. Don’t show up in...
View ArticleHumor: 8 Chuck Norris Memes with ‘Walker Texas Ranger’ as a French Horn Player
Put briefly, memes are a virally-transmitted form of communication and interaction. Cultural symbols and pop icons are often incorporated, and a very popular one for several years has been the Chuck...
View ArticleOrchestra 101: Playing Extra! Part III: At the Gig
Parts I and II of this short series looked at preparation before the day of the gig and the timeframe right before the first service. Finally we now get on stage for that first service. There are a...
View Article5 Tips on Creativity and Being Creative, from John Cleese
Within last week’s Random Wednesday article a video was included of actor John Cleese speaking on the topic of creativity. Mr. Cleese is a very good (and entertaining) speaker and his main points hit...
View ArticleQuestion from the Mailbag: How do I Improve my Trills and Tongue Speed?...
A questioner asks: I’m a freshman in high school, and Im playing Mozart horn concerto no 2 in e flat major k. 417 for an audition and there are some lip trills in it. I have never played a lip trill...
View ArticleComing Soon: #IHSTexas
In ten days #IHSTexas gets rolling! International Horn Symposium 44 is hosted by the University of North Texas College of Music, Denton, TX, and will be held May 15-19, 2012. What is in store? The...
View ArticleAsk Dave: What Can I Do About a Leak?
Ryan asks: I’ve been using a older, heavily used Conn 6D until I can afford a better horn. It has a few quirks, but it’s hasn’t been too bad. Recently, any note played using the third valve sounds...
View ArticleRandom Monday: Settlement in Louisville, Talk, Applause and Cannibalism
Settlement in Louisville The conflict in Louisville KY seems to have come to a resolution. After 20 months of very contentious negotiations the two sides have agreed to a one-year stop-gap agreement...
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