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Re: Yamahas

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Yamahas
From: Ian Phillipps <ian@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 1995 10:19:54 +0100
In-reply-to: <199510131620.RAA20839@cua.pharm.lon.ac.uk>

So there's no need to shout, thanks. Kirsten and I were referring to the
"French" horn.  This instrument is known simply as the "horn", which is
how it appears on orchestral scores (usually in Italian as "corno"). The
F-word is a sore point with many horn players, who feel that slack
terminology has robbed their instrument of its name, especially in
American English.  Many players know their instruments simply as "horns"
- this applies to saxophones, trumpets, tubas and even violins. The
Saxhorn family in the brass band is just another example.

The usual ("French") horn stands in F, with a valve taking it to Bb.
There is a set of three valves with the usual arrangement, and a fourth
valve changing between Bb and F. In other words, the valving and
pitching is identical to that of the usual 4-valve euphonium, except
that the fourth valve usually works the opposite way.

The valves on the horn are worked with the left rather than the right
hand, with the Bb/F thumb-operated, so it takes a bit of mental effort
to change gear. The embouchure is completely different, since the
mouthpiece is smaller, and horn players spend much of their time above
what would be "top C" on any other brass intrument.

Ian

References:
- Re: Yamahas
  - From: angela

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