The 21st fundamental in the list found in the Douglas Hill book, the prompt I’m following for this series, is the hand horn.
Is it a fundamental?
Readers might know that I wrote a nice publication on natural horn playing (more info here!), and I’m interested in all sorts of historic horns. There are dozens of articles in Horn Matters on related topics (many of them may be found here).
From that one might guess that the natural horn must figure highly in my teaching. However, the fact is that most of my own students get through with only the most basic introduction to the topic.
That’s not to say I don’t think it is of value — it is just that I realize that the interest level is going to be hugely variable beyond the most basic understanding, which I do think is fundamental.
There are at least two general areas that can benefit from hand horn study.
The harmonic series and manipulation of the hand
Of course we get the harmonic series in many warmup exercises, and we get hand manipulations when working on stopped horn. But to actually study the natural horn raises both of these elements to a much higher level.
Accuracy and the ear
This I think is the area of greatest benefit. To play anything on the natural horn you have use the lips and the ear with a higher level of coordination than you would on the modern valved horn. It makes you think differently, fine tunes your embouchure, and certainly can raise the level of your playing.
And appreciation of the past
Generally as well, I hope that your hand horn study opens your ears up to music of older eras in a new way. There are wonderful artists out there on the natural horn today; you owe it to yourself to listen and enjoy this music in a new way.
What about Alphorn?
As an aside, it is interesting that Hill does specifically say “hand horn” in his list. I don’t know if he meant to exclude the Alphorn, but, personally (and I know this opinion may not be popular with some readers), I have very limited interest in the Alphorn. But if it is interesting to you, by all means add Alphorn to the mix in your playing! Horn playing can be fun.
Speaking of fun, when the series continues the topic will be jazz horn.
Continue reading the fundamentals series
