February 22, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Performance & Playing   |   Dynamics, Hearing protection

Thoughts on Playing Loud


A few years back in my old blog I had a post on How loud is too loud? that came to mind to me again today. Recently, after the Southeast Horn Workshop, I have been thinking about volume. At the end of a brass band rehearsal last night I also recalled another quote I was told by members of the Navy Band horn section a few years ago. The thing they said was that they had given up on trying to play louder than the trumpets and trombones. Sometimes conductors seem to want it that loud, and I do want to hear contrasts, but there is a point where it can just degenerate into blasting if you really try to match a cranking bass trombone on horn.

One other closely related thought. I have played under conductors that I am pretty sure were losing part of their hearing. I am thinking of two specific conductors, one must have lost the high end and another had lost the low end of their hearing. There is no other explanation as to how they could be asking for the balances they requested. Exposure to a lot of loud sounds will eventually take out part of your hearing. Be sure to protect yours so that you don’t join the ranks of musicians with hearing loss issues.

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

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Thoughts on Playing Loud
Published on February 22, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Performance & Playing   |   Dynamics, Hearing protection
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.