June 10, 2008 by Bruce Hembd

Archived under: Auditions, Practice   |   Excerpts, Orchestra, PDF, Tips

Exercise for Till Eulenspiegel: Till the Cows Come Home


An exercise for Till Eulenspiegel

2259006077 16c83b1797 m Exercise for Till Eulenspiegel: Till the Cows Come Home Exercise for Till Eulenspiegel: Till the Cows Come Home

> Download Till Exercise PDF

On practically every “high horn” audition – and even on some low horn auditions – the opening solo from Richard Strauss’ tone poem Till Eulenspiegel will be asked. For any aspiring orchestral player, this excerpt must be known backwards and forwards.

Taking this literally, I once came up with this little exercise to help conquer this solo. Begin practicing this exercise SLOWLY and take advantage of its different rhythms and articulations. Gradually speed it up over time.

This exercise illustrates a very practical practice method, namely:

  1. Be honest with yourself and admit you have a problem.
  2. Isolate that problem and develop a calculated, logical plan to fix it.
  3. Engage – get busy and practice.
  4. Evaluate and fine tune as needed.

This slow repetition technique of isolated problem areas – “cell” practice – done in multiple key areas is key to improvement. Attacking problems haphazardly only leads to bad habits and even injury.

Other online resources to investigate:

BRUCE HEMBD is a web marketing developer by day who plays French horn professionally at night.» More information about Bruce Hembd » More articles by Bruce Hembd » Contact

Related to this article


  • Exercise PDF: Buddha Lee
    A supercalifragilisticexpialidocious flexibility exercise. > Download the PDF Years ago when I was a student at Arizona State University, Tom Bacon showed me this superb flexibility exercise. In group practice sessions, he came up with the name “Buddha Lee” because when playing the exercise it aurally...
  • Physician, Heal Thyself: Part I – Metronomes
    Metronomes can help or hurt depending on how they are used. As a computer geek and musician I am fascinated with new technology and I enjoy how tuners, metronomes and recording devices get smaller and smarter with every passing year. What would have years ago taken...

Comments ()


Exercise for Till Eulenspiegel: Till the Cows Come Home
Published on June 10, 2008 by Bruce Hembd

Archived under: Auditions, Practice   |   Excerpts, Orchestra, PDF, Tips
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.