In a message dated 11/01/2003 11:13:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Cordially Yours, Scott Papal PS I wonder what all the professional horn players/teachers on this list started on? Of course, we all know professor Pizka started on the F and natural horns, but what of the others of you who play and teach professionally? As a matter of fact, what did you amateurs all start on, F or Bb? >> I started on an F horn, but now find that I use the Bb horn for much more of my playing. Still, I'm glad I started on an F horn. The F horn is the most agreed upon tonality of the instrument. That tonality has to be imprinted on the brain from the very start. Once the tonality is well established, the double horn should be introduced, with the changeover being no lower than C. This is the range where the Bb horn arguably produces an equal, or better, tonality than the F horn. This Bb tonality must be integrated with the already established F tonality to extend the upper range with a tonality based on the F tonality, but better than the F tonality alone. By this point, a student should have developed his individual concept of tonality to strive for. He will then pick the mouthpiece and (type of) instrument he believes gives him the best combination of playing security and tonality. To be honest, I almost consider it irresponsible to start a student on a Bb horn. The player is going to live and die by the sound of his horn, not how easy it is to play. If he doesn't have it in him to strive for magnificent tone, and learn how to trade off reasonable risk to attain it, start him on a Bb trumpet. _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
