How to be Heard (and Hear Yourself)

A major concern of all Horn (French Horn) players who are operating in the non-classical realm is how to be heard when there is a loud rhythm section, or even a loud group of brass, woodwinds or whatever!  The bell pointing ‘backwards’ and the hand in the...

How and Why to play the “Descant Horn”

First, the “Why”, because that’s the point I really want to make.  In a word: CLARITY. It seems to me there are many ways of explaining this.  An example is perhaps best: Play a bebop tune as fast as you can, on the double horn.  Then...

Articulations / Dynamics: Is Less More?

As a player, when sight-reading new music, I really prefer not to see too much information.  Sure, you need the essentials – time and key signatures, tempo and the notes.  But I’ve played many pieces of music that have so much detailed information that it...

Christmas music?

Hi Jazz Horn aficionados; here goes my first blog post!  This will be a place to discuss arrangements for French Horn.  First, I’d like to ask if there’s any interest out there, in new arrangements of Christmas songs?