March 7, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Accuracy, Horn study

Keep Drilling the Accuracy


While there is much to say for a good tone and musicality, one sad fact is that it is hard to be accurate on the horn–but we simply have to be accurate if we want conductors and audience members to get excited about our playing. Not to mention win a job. Nobody likes to hear chipped notes. I am sure that by the period of my late MM study I was capable of making a perfect audition recording (with enough takes!) and by the time of the biggest audition I won, Third Horn in Nashville, I was perfectly accurate in the audition.

There is no short cut; we have to constantly drill accuracy. With hard practice it does all get better. Put in that hard practice so that you can really lay things down accurately, make the perfect recording, and win the audition.

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

Related to this article


  • 100% Accuracy
    My faculty recital at ASU went well overall yesterday; certainly I am happy with the sound and general effect. Still, it was not perfect. Thinking back to previous performances there have been lots of good ones but only one note perfect major solo performance comes to...
  • Eight Ways to Improve Your Accuracy
    I recently heard it said that readers love articles that are based on lists. There are many ways to work on accuracy, but these eight are all important elements to focus upon. 1. Buzz more often on the mouthpiece alone. When you miss something, buzz it...

Comments ()


Keep Drilling the Accuracy
Published on March 7, 2008 by John Ericson

Archived under: Accuracy, Horn study
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.