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Articles on the instruments we play

From the Mailbag: Bore Sizes and French Horns

Another recent question that came in had to do with bore of horns, as in what is actually meant when people say a horn...

Where to Go Try New and Used Horns

There is a point when a more advanced horn player really needs a more advanced horn to keep progress going forward. That point is...

From the Mailbag: Single B-flat, F Extension — Why?

This one has a pretty quick answer but is a great question as it relates to my IHS presentation next week and is something...

What is a “Dual Bore” Horn?

While I am not using it as my main horn at present, for some years I mainly played a Paxman 25A horn (for example...

The Cabbage Speaks on ‘Wolf Notes’

In response to a question about bad notes on a natural horn crook, both John and Dave have taken a crack at an answer. Behind-the-scenes...

F or Bb — What Horn Best Suits Beginners?

The standard line for many teachers is single F horn is the best for beginners, traditional tone, etc. Is this pedagogical approach stuck in...

Mailbag: Playing a Horn that Fits In, Internationally

A question recently came in from a reader from the United States that was playing in a foreign orchestra. Their horn of choice in...

What Horn would a Horn Soloist Choose?

One thing I have been thinking about lately is the topic of equipment and fingering choices in relation to orchestral and solo horn playing. Most...

Ask Dave: What is “Red Rot”?

"Red Rot" is commonly used to refer to any reddish patch of corrosion on a copper-based alloy, such as brass. However, this loose usage...

Tone is what makes a Great French Horn

First, a quote from a former student of mine who is now helping people looking for upgrade horns: “…most people will talk far more...