On tight valve strings, thin oil, and alignment
Rotary valves can be a bit of a mystery for horn players and musical instrument repairmen. Three topics you should consider.
From the Mailbag: The “A” Valve
One common question relates to the “A” valve seen on most single Bb horns and descant horns. The central question would be “what is...
What is an “F extension” on a single Bb horn (or...
A topic that comes up periodically is that of the F extension and the single Bb horn (and descant). What is the advantage?
First, what...
‘Trusted Brands’ Report Update: New Results with Focus on Experience Levels
This is the second installation in the report "Name Recognition and Perception of Quality in Brand Names of (French) Horns," the details of which...
Day 145: Lessons from a Patterson/Yamaha
Last summer I sent my old Yahama 667 to James Patterson in New Mexico for a conversion. I am happy to report that I...
The Issue of Weight and Different Horns
This summer I have several projects and performances in preparation. Besides presenting on the Wagner tuba at the IHS event in Denver I will...
A visit to a horn maker
One thing many wonder is, what does it look like at the shop of a working horn maker? Early this year I was able...
Ask Dave: When Should My Daughter Move Up to a Double...
Susie asks:
My 5th grade daughter will be playing the French Horn in the orchestra this year. We were wondering what the normal time frame...
Lessons in Vienna, part VIII: Playing the Vienna horn
This series of articles expands on notes taken by Nicholas Smith in lessons with Roland Berger in 1977.
The Conn 8D (K series) I was...
Workshop presentation: Kruspe, Geyer, and more
With the corona virus canceling so many horn events this spring, this is the first of a series of articles with podcasts, on topics...