John Ericson

Maxime Alphonse, International Man of Mystery

Probably every month during the school year I receive notes from horn students trying to research horn players of the past who are trying...

PSA: C-sharp (fourth space) Should be One of your Best Notes

Intonation is always a topic among hornists. One note I listen for carefully is C-sharp, third space. This should be a great note; often...

Horn Players Guide to the Seven Deadly Sins

Horn soloist and composer Lawrence Lowe was in Tempe yesterday, where he performed two solos (the "traditional version" of the Mozart Concert Rondo ...

Improve Left Hand Comfort with a Strap or Flipper

As a horn teacher I have seen quite a few students with various issues with the left hand and arm. I have had some...

Quote of the Week–Kling on Condensation

Horns get water in them -- condensation -- that must be removed. Some students seem to have more trouble than they should getting it...

Who is this Philip Farkas you Speak of?

The topic of Philip Farkas came up recently and I realized that among horn students today his name is not as well known as...

News Flash from 1990: The Mozart Concert Rondo now has Sixty More Measures

Several times recently I have noted that it is not widely enough known that the Concert Rondo of Mozart, K. 371, is actually sixty...

Quote of the Week–Gardner on the High Register

If you are looking for a book to read over break, the Randy Gardner book is to be recommended. In particular I found this...

Farkas on Stagefright (and more)

In the world of horn there have been few that made as much impact as Philip Farkas (1914-1992). The Art of French Horn Playing...

Brief Thoughts on Hand Straps and Flippers for the French Horn

I get asked fairly often about “straps” and “flippers,” devices that aid in holding the horn in a more ergonomic manner. For years I...