could save quite a bit of money and give them an oppor- tunity to hear from a professional. If you are not in an area where you can bring in


help, try working with them on your instrument. Play their notes with them, having them match pitch first. Then have them play again on their own. Progress to duets. Play their part with them, have them play it alone, then play the separate parts together so they can learn independence. It is important for young French horn players to lis-


ten to professional examples of their instrument so they can learn a great characteristic sound toward which to aspire. A few minutes on YouTube will give you many examples to show them. The ideal horn sound is full, round, pure (usually without vibrato in this country), and somewhat dark. Some of my favorite examples of exquisite horn tone come from movie soundtracks.


4. Holding the Horn The right hand position is one of the first things I


usually have to “fix” with horn students. First, have the student hold their right hand slightly cupped and up- right, like they’re catching raindrops. Second, have the student insert their hand so that it touches the far side— the right side of the bell. The knuckles should tuck into the part of the bell where the big flare begins. Think- ing of the bell like a clock, the middle knuckle is at 3 o’clock and the thumb is at noon. Finally, make sure the player is not “covering” the bell too much with their right hand—this will be the trickiest part. They should open up the hinge of their wrist to the right so the bell is not too covered and therefore, the sound too muffled (see pictures below).


Incorrect right hand position


The rim of the bell should rest on the player’s right leg, at least initially. Hornists may eventually find it more comfortable to sit with good posture and to hold the bell off their leg as I do (see pictures below).


Bell played off the leg (correct)


Bell played on the leg (correct)


Bell turned towards the body (incorrect)


Correct right hand position MARCH 2018 47 TEMPO


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