r/horn

I got a single horn in really good shape for $50. The bad news is the case smells like it was stored in a basement. So far the smell has lasted being sprinkled liberally with baking soda and kept open in a warm, dry furnace room for 5 years. I had considered giving up on it but discovered that a replacement case is more expensive than the horn. I might gut the case down to the hard plastic shell and contrive my own case internals out of scavenged foam and old towels. I want to try leaving it in a hot car in the sun to see what heat will do but I don't have a car.

I’m about to take delivery of a new-to-me (yay!) horn that uses an ascending 3rd valve. As someone who’s fascinated with historical horns and other instruments, I’m particularly interested in finding appropriate method books, sheet music, and pieces that were created with the unique functionality of the ascending horn in mind. I’ve read that Maxime Alphonse had some etudes, but I don’t know which ones are for cor ascendant. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much

Hi, I'm a high school student deciding whether I should play the French horn in concert band next year as a sophomore. To give some context... I have zero wind instrument experience besides the recorder, and I've been playing in band as a percussionist. I know there are numerous other wind instruments I could learn, but the French horn just caught my eye. I have approximately 7-8 months left until that concert band season. With help from private tutors, will I be able to play a few simple pieces, join my school's standard concert band, and follow along?

This year I will be traveling to Europe for a workshop and will be bringing my horn along as a carry-on in a MB-5 Flex case.

Looking for recommendations on Insurance specifically for musical instruments. I plan on getting travel insurance, but want coverage specifically for my horn. US based.

Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well.

I’m thinking about getting a Bouche mute for the horn and wanted to ask more specifically: has anyone here also tried the Alexander and the Powerstopf?

Have you been able to compare them? Which one did you find better in terms of intonation, resistance, and tone?

Any experiences or advice would be super helpful.

Thanks so much in advance!

Growing up playing horn, low notes were always effortless, while high notes took time to develop. To this day, the highs still continue to be tiring (mid-range suffers after playing top of staff). However, I'll never forget this time when I borrowed someone else's horn for a session, and it felt like I had dropped the training weights. The highs felt like nothing, just as easy as the lows had always been. The tone wasn't as rich, though it was just a basic beginners horn.

How do I even begin to try out new horns? I want to maintain or move up in terms of instrument grade, but I don't believe I'm near any shops that are carrying a professional geyer wrap. I could be wrong. I live in Rhode Island.

I have been playing my 8D for almost 20 years now (crazy) and have had problems with a weak D under the staff that I didn't notice in its entirety until this past weekend when I had the opportunity to play the Pirates of the Caribbean score with a local orchestra.

During softer bits, it was fine; as soon as I have to play that note loud, which was most of the time, it was very weak and difficult to slot in and cam out exceedingly flat the more air I pushed. The F right above it is fine, every other note is fine except the D.

Would anyone have any insight on if if they've had thay issue and it's just the horn, something that could be fixed, or should I just start saving some money to upgrade to a different horn?

Thanks!

After ~6 years I'm getting back into playing for a local orchestra. I have until early September to get back in shape, so I think I'll be fine with regular practice. Currently I'd say I'm a passable player but not where I'd like to be.

Most pressing issues for me are

1. Endurance(i believe should just come with practice)

2. Smoothing out lip slurs

3. Getting a fuller sound in the lower range(will be on 4th)

4. Transposing

Any advice on exercises/études/books? Most of my resources are back at my childhood home so I need a restock.

Does anyone have a good set up that works for them with in ear monitors? I am working on a theater tour and having trouble getting myself loud enough over the "sinus" sound one gets when playing with IEMs or earplugs in. I have custom molds, Sensaphonics 3DME. Even if I crank the horn channel, I can't hear myself in a useful way. Ideas appreciated! Thank you in advance!

I have an Elkhart 8D and despite trying lots of mouthpieces over the years, I find myself coming back to the Conn #2 every time. I like the weight and the thickness of the rim, but I’d like to try some more options. Does anyone know which mouthpieces are similar in geometry to the classic Conn 2?

So this is my first year playing french horn and im trying out for an orchestra but theyre asking for a melodic minor scale and everyone i’ve asked abt it doesnt know what it is and it doesnt show anywhere in the internet, does anyone know what it is or have a scale sheet for it?

Former highschool horn player here, haven't touched it in 3 years, slides are all stuck down, want to get it repaired and pick it up again.

Unfortunately I've got braces + some facial medical operations throughout this year, meaning I won't be able to play much and it will probably get stuck up again.

TL;DR should I repair it now, or can it wait an extra year?