French Horn Forums - recently created topics

Hey everyone!

I saw that you added our Beatles video covers (I'm So Tired, Cry Baby Cry) to your database and I just wanted to thank you! We're a lead French horn/acoustic folk rock duo from Long Island. We have a 6 song EP that we just finished, and you can listen to it at our MySpace:

www.myspace.com/rabbitsinraincoats

Thank you again for adding us to your site!
Sincerely,
Matt Montelione

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I am fed up beyond all reason. I cannot seem to play my horn anymore. I have been playing for 29 years (urp!), have multiple degrees in horn performance. I used to be really good, made a living playing chamber music for years. I stopped playing regularly (for various reasons) about 5 years ago, although I still play with area orchestras. This year I decided I was going to devote time to my horn again, and started practicing every day and taking it seriously again. And now, 5 months later, things feel and sound worse than they did when I was out of shape and throwing it together at the last minute.

My lips feel like concrete. Every time I think I've figured out what's wrong and fixed it, something else creeps in. I read some Arnold Jacobs and thought I had things fixed, because it did help — for awhile. But now, no matter how conscientious I am with my air, buzz, relaxation, mental focus, rest, etc., I just can't seem to play well. The sound is thin and sometimes wobbly, my endurance is pathetic, my accuracy non-existent, and I am embarrassing myself in public at rehearsals and concerts. I am so close to just quitting (maybe temporarily). I thought I was doing this because I love it and it's fun. Now neither of those things is true.

I'm not sure what I'm expecting from posting this... I guess I'm just at a loss and have never been so disappointed in myself in my life.

The International Women's Brass Conference (IWBC) is pleased to announce the 2010 Susan Slaughter International Solo Brass Competition for trumpet, horn, tenor horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba to be held during the 6th International Women’s Brass Conference in Toronto, Canada in June.

The competition is open to all brass players: women and men, students, amateurs and professionals of all ages.

The deadline to register for the competition is March 31, 2010. Two rounds of competition will take place beginning June 14. For information on the required repertoire, prizes, age categories, contest rules, and registration, please visit iwbctoronto2010.com

The IWBC conference begins on June 16 and will include international guest artists, concerts and workshops. An early bird discount applies to conference registration prior to March 31, 2010. Please spread the word to your brass colleagues and students!

Dear Fellow Hornist,

Mark Atkinson here. Seems like through the years there has been a horn around by the name of Heinrich A. Wolff designed by Atkinson. First off we have never designed a horn for anyone other than ourselves!! And secondly there is no such person or entity such as Heinrich Wolff. A misleading marketing ploy with a catchy German name. Please be aware that this is an illegel use of our company name and has nothing to do with Atkinson Horns

Here is my issue. I have been a horn player for about 11 years now. I always had great music due to my great instructors who always sought to push the bands and orchestras to the brink of their potential. It was great playing orchestral music in high school. Now my issue is that I belong to no band and have sustained on my own collection of Motzart and Kopprasch. I want new music that is based around soloists. I love slow pieces that allow the horn to sing beautifully, but I just have no idea where to start looking. Any suggestions of pieces that you have experienced that are beautiful, yet challenging?

Tansley

I have an at least 40-year-old French horn made by a company called Schubert. I've looked online, but can't find even a mention of this kind of French horn. Have any of you ever heard of it? Can you tell me where I might find information about it?

Hello everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my post. I have been playing the french horn for about 5 years now, and I have enjoyed every moment. The last two years I have been very inconsistent with my high notes, and it is quite frustrating. For instance, during a lesson with my music teacher, he will ask me to play a G scale, and the first time I play it, the G barely squeaks out. He then asks me to play the scale again and the G comes out perfectly and full. I honestly don't understand what I am doing differently between the two scales, and it is very frustrating. I do believe that my embouchure was in the same place both times, as well as the amount of air. My teacher believes that my problem is all mental, saying that it is all in my head. Many nights I come home in tears because during band rehearsal my high F and G didn't come out, when I know in the back of my mind that the top of my range is a high A. I thought that this inconsistency would eventually go away, but sadly that isn't the case. It boggles my mind and my professors that one minute I can't hit a high note, and the next I can play it perfectly with ease. I appreciate it very much for anyone who takes the time to help me out. Any tips or kind words would just be lovely. It would really mean a lot.

~A_Love_For_Brass~

I'm putting together my sheet music and MP3 playlist for an upcoming audition. I have everything I need except for a recording of Siegfried's Long Call. I know I can find it on YouTube, but I'd like a recording I can purchase and keep on my music player, and I'd like it to be in the context of the opera, not just as a solo.

The challenge I face finding this work is that I don't know exactly where too look. I know it's part of Siegfried, but I'm not sure exactly what title it falls under. It doesn't seem to be available as a stand-alone work on any "best of Wagner" albums, and I don't want to buy all of Siegfried for just one song. If someone could tell me exactly where in the opera to look, I could probably find it.

Thanks,
Jon

Greeting to all high school and college age players of the French Horn in central New Jersey. The Young Players Philharmonic, an advanced youth orchestra located in Franklin Township, New Jersey (just outside of New Brunswick) has openings for French Horns. The main work planned on our winter concert is the "Schubert Great C Major Symphony" Prospective players are welcome to visit our web site: www.ypphilharmonic.org. Posted on the site are videos, information and an application. There are scholarships available for advanced players. Rehearsals are on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Thanks
Ira Kraemer, conductor and music director

Posted 5/28/09