Archived under: Teaching
Converting to the Horn, Part I
I was recently asked when is the right time to convert students to the horn? The answer is any time! The only things you really need to make a horn player are a decent ear and an interest in the horn.
I switched as a freshman in high school from trumpet. In my hometown when I was starting out the directors did not start anyone on horn that I was aware of; we were all converts in our high school section of about eight players, mostly from the trumpet. It must be done diplomatically and with care but it still has to be done.
Even at ASU there are many horn converts. I have surveyed the studio a number of times, and on average about half of my students started on horn and half switched to the horn at some point in time, most commonly in late junior high or early high school, from most often trumpet or flute. I have had clarinet and sax converts as well in the studio and know of converts from baritone, trombone, even oboe.
I have never seen a program with too many horns. They may exist, but the plain fact is to build a band you need horn players and any time is a good time to switch people to the horn.
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