Hornmasters: Tuckwell on Holding the Horn and Left Hand Position

In our series of quotes from classic horn texts we will close out this part of the series with Barry Tuckwell. As a soloist Tuckwell in Playing the Horn (1978) was very open to playing standing.

When one is standing, it is not too difficult to find a relaxed, ‘at ease’ position; the main object is to be as comfortable as possible, and well balanced. Too much rigidity in the back will cause unnecessary tension; a feeling of poise should be aimed for, as if one is ready to spring forward. This will induce a feeling of alertness without tension.

As to his seated posture, it is a posture very related to this same, easy and balanced standing posture, with the bell off the leg.

I prefer to hold the horn free of the body and not to rest the bell on the thigh, even when I am seated. I find this gives me greater freedom for unhampered breathing.

…Spread the legs apart in a comfortable position to provide a good balance, and hold the trunk of the body erect, but no so that the position is stiff, exaggerated, or uncomfortable.

Tuckwell also offers this advice on supporting the instrument in either position.

It is most important to not hold the horn in such a way that will cause undue fatigue and tension. This may occur when the left hand grips the horn too tightly and when the elbows are kept away from the body.

I find it better to keep the elbows near the body so that one supports the horn only from that point and not from the shoulders. If the horn is held in this way the mouthpiece is slightly to the left of the mouth. Instead of facing straight ahead and bringing the instrument round to meet the mouth, I find it better to turn the head to the left so that is comes into line with the mouthpiece. This keeps the body in a comfortable position and avoids unnecessary tension in the left arm and shoulder.

When we return to the Hornmasters the topic will be the right hand, a topic on which everyone has an opinion.