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Re: F Horn in brass bands

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: F Horn in brass bands
From: Adrian Drover <saxhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 07 May 1998 13:46:39 +0100
In-reply-to: <3550961D.BC11A5DE@webspan.net>
Priority: low
Reply-to: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

On 06 May, <brassman@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Stop trying to fix something that isn't broken. You know there are
> french horn lists among others.... do you think they are discussing
> using tenor horns instead of french horns?  Not a chance..... I know
> there are other composers and arrangers on this list.  It would be
> interesting to hear from them about this as well.
> Brian?  Bill?  You too Adrian........

You know my views on this subject already, but I know that the orchestral
horn will never see the light of day in the British brass band.

I do not understand though, why you say these instruments will not blend.
If they can blend with the variety of instrumentation in the symphony
orchestra (which includes trombones and tubas), they have to be able to
blend with the trombones and tubas of the brass band. If they can do that,
then I'm sure that they can blend also with the cornets.

The brass band arrangements I write now, have the option of using Eb tenor
and Bb baritone saxhorns or french horns in F. This is necessary as many
bands in the New World, and in schools and colleges do not have the
British band instruments available. Many of the players of tenor and bass
instruments do not read treble clef either, which is why I also provide
parts in bass clef. 

I love the sound of the french horn. I cannot say that I like the sound of
the saxhorn as much. But whether it is saxhorns or french horns, cornets
or trumpets, I love the sound of a brass band either way. 

As far as I know, nobody has ever objected to trombones being introduced
into the brass band. You cannot say that these have the same tone colour
as the saxhorns or tubas. In the early days of brass banding, the
peashooter and G trombones had a much narrower bore than the modern
instruments, making them even less saxhorn and tuba sounding. But they
have always blended. I have always wondered why trumpets never took their
place next to the cornets and flugelhorn, just as the trombones have
managed to integrate with the baritones and euphoniums.

Adrian

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References:
- re:F Horn in brass bands
  - From: brassman

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