First, many thanks to Bob Osmun and Paul Navarro: the matter worked
exactly as described, though at first I feared I couldn't undo the
lock ring on the articulated arm; but eventually it gave up easily,
and then it was a matter of two minutes.
Thanks also to Hans, even if this time I'm trying something which is
not according to his advise.
I now have more than two weeks till the next rehearsal, and that's the
reason why I thought I'd try this right now. I practiced a couple of
hours this morning (and played my daughter's Hoyer in the last two
days). When I play only in Bb, then I'd say I have no big problem. The
main difficulty is switching from Bb to F and back. I prefer g2 and
f#2 on the F horn, so certain passages won't come at the proper speed,
for the moment. We'll see. It's funny to think that, right now, I'd
even have difficulties coming through a fairly easy C-horn program I
played recently (Mozart's Coronation Mass and Concerto for Flute and
Harp).
On the other hand I feel less tension on average, and that seems to
make some things easier.
If I think of it, it's also an interesting experiment on how my brain
works: trying to change 40-years old habits. Of course I'm interested
in knowing about similar experiences.
Daniel
mathematical physicists & dedicated amateur hornist
----- Messaggio da irich...@flash.net ---------
Data: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:12:29 -0600
Daniel,
When I was in my mid-30's, I tried reversing the thumb valve action on
my Moennig horns - they are engineered for it, so it was simple to do.
My idea was to make the double horn and descant horn fingerings
consistent (and single Bb would fall out as well). I found that 20
years of habit was a great obstacle to overcome. I tried for about two
years, but I could never get the fingerings to come automatically and
finally gave up. When I returned all horns to their original settings,
there was hardly any residual habit to get rid of. On the other hand,
Dale Clevenger could pick up horns set up either way and immediately
play with ease and facility - his horns stand in Bb.
When you get the linkage reversed, let us know how you do.
Regards,
Richard Hirsh
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