May 3, 2007 by John Ericson

Archived under: Deep thoughts, Teaching

The Horn Problem


Different people will have different opinions as to what the “horn problem” is (or if there is a problem). Talking this past weekend with other teachers in Arizona, however, it is even clearer to me that for Arizona anyway part of the problem is the low number of hornists at the junior high level. And, those few that are playing at that level are mostly “orphans;” few junior high schools have real horn sections.

Why this is the case primarily relates to the horn being difficult to teach and difficult to start on. The solution is that all of us work to get more horn players playing the horn and to get more of them started on the horn sooner.

Within the current horn studio at ASU about half were playing horn by the end of junior high and the rest switched to horn later. I switched in 9th grade and was given a good start by my horn playing band director.

As you head to the summer ponder how you can impact things to make for more young horn players in your community.

JOHN ERICSON has wide-ranging experience as an orchestral player, soloist, and teacher.» About John Ericson » More articles » Horn Notes Edition » Contact

No related posts.

Comments ()


The Horn Problem
Published on May 3, 2007 by John Ericson

Archived under: Deep thoughts, Teaching
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.