Can anyone offer advice for an aspiring horn player?

[kirstiereadnower]

Hello! I am a sophomore in high school and have been playing clarinet for four years. I love it and have found a lot of success with it, but I want to broaden my horizons, and I've always admired French horn. So, I was wondering... Are there any horn players on here? Can you offer any advice whatsoever? Can you give me any generic figures on the cost of lessons, rentals, mouthpieces, et cetera? Are there any habits to avoid forming when I first pick it up? Is there a particular variety/brand of horn/mouthpiece that would be best-suited for a beginner? How can I maintain a horn well, and how often should I practice? I would really appreciate any help. I'm a hard worker and I'm determined btw. It isn't the sort of thing that I would pick up and then tire of soon after. Thank you!!

[John Watt]

Hello kirstiereadnower! I'm going to be primal here, about horn players,
especially if you're starting out without focussing on a specific instrument.
According to The American Federation of Musicians, horn players have the lowest life expectancy,
dying seven years earlier on average than non-blowing musicians.
The French Horn is harder to play in tune than trumpets or cornets.
I would consider digitizing your clarinet, if you've found success with it already.
You can plug it in and make it sound like anything, for solo note work.
I'd recommend getting into keyboards to broaden your horizons,
and improve your chances of recording and producing yourself.

[wljmrbill]

From my college music study days.. I would suggest staying within the same area ( fingering, wind power etc ) i.e. sax, flute. There is more ware and tear so to speak with the brass/horns( as I remember from having to study and play all istruments as required in college. Interesting thought about the digitizing of the clarinet. I think piano is a good bases for all serious music students as it helps in many areas of the musical field as John mentiioned. If no ones answers your questions specific from the MIMF. I will check with friends on those subjects for you as I do not know the answers i.e. horns etc etc.. Good Luck my friend.....

[John Watt]

I'm feeling one of those very pregnant pauses, like how Miles Davis wouldn't play sometimes.
Not like how he'd keep blowing the same note again and again, fading it or rushing into a
ascent or descent. Actually, Joe Farrell with Elvin Jones was my favorite for that kind of riff.
Nah, I'm just reading kirstiereadnower and enjoying this gap in feedback.
Jimi would do something with it.

[Contratrombone64]

You're going from a relatively easy to play instrument (the clarinet, which I also play) to one of the hardest - good luck with that - don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams.

[Corno Dolce]

As the gentleman replied to the query of "How to get to Carnegie Hall"? Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more so that you can never play any piece wrong.............Infinitely commit yourself to the Orchestral Horn, a commitment like Marriage - The Horn, ah yes, She is a most fiendishly jealous mistress.............Play with Her correctly and She is more seductive and sultrily sexy than any Blonde or Brunette Bombshell you've seen on TV, in the Movies, or in the Men's magazines........


; - D

[John Watt]

When I was at the Dollar Store before Christmas, I saw made in Mexico Santas,
almost three feet tall, hollow plastic moulded, looking more like Christmas pinatas.
The white puff at the top of the hat, some fingers, toes and parts of presents in the bag,
all had little holes from less than expensive engineering.

I must have been in a festive mood. I picked one up and started blowing through a candy cane.
It sounded sweet. A few more coverings of nearby holes increased the volume,
and I thought Santa's eyes were beginning to ruffle back at me a little.
Customers stopped, and a staff came up, recognizing the tune, all laughing.
Yes, "giddy up, giddy up, let's go, go over the snow,", "Sleighrides". I took a fast one.

Dreams are in my heart, and dreams are where it starts, for You.
The dreams that are in control, are the dreams that are in my soul, for You.

[kola490p]

Not quite a horn player, I'm actually a tubist, but I have some knowledge in most instruments. I think its great that you're wanting to switch to an uncommon brass instrument. More power to ya! As far as instruments, they usually rent for around 50 bucks a month. You'll want to start with a single horn and then move up to the double after a few years. Lessons can vary depending on the quality of teacher. Usually college students charge half as much as professionals and are easier to learn from. Look to try and get a Conn or Jupiter for a beginning horn. As far as mouthpieces, go with a farkas or bach. It'll take some adjusting. woodwind and brass use completely different muscles. I can't even make a sound on a woodwind. Hopefully that helped. Best of luck!