Page 1 of 1

French horn again UPDATE

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:42 pm
by Sue B
Just had to update on my search for a horn for my son. I stumbled into an awesome horn on the internet--actually it was located at a store in Glendale, CA! It was priced right at the top of my budget (just like horse shopping) but 1k less than every other exact same horn brand/model on the internet, and so I bit the bullet and bought it for the kid. Oh my gosh, hearing the kid play a truly good quality horn versus the ok instruments his school has it's frickin' unbelievable. It's like finally getting to sit in a saddle that fits you and the horse--all of a sudden you can ride like a pro! :lol: I only wish I had the words to describe just how beautiful a "real" horn sounds up close and personal. Totally worth it.

Re: French horn again

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:28 pm
by Chisamba
Nice!

Re: French horn again

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:40 pm
by Ponichiwa
Hurray! Quality instruments do make a dramatic difference. Good for you!

I made some really great friends through music (high school/college band), and a few of us still do some small ensemble playing together nowadays, a good 15 years after we started playing. It can be a lifetime passion, even if you don't pursue it on the professional level. Also much like dressage!

Re: French horn again

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:03 pm
by Sue B
Ponichiwa, that is my dream. That he play the horn for the rest of his life in community orchestras or small ensembles like my brother has done with the oboe.

I, sadly, am a musical dunce. I cannot seem to learn to play anything, but I have a very good ear. Like a judge that can't ride, I guess. :lol:

Re: French horn again

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:12 pm
by Ponichiwa
Truth be told, I trained my ear (which was not good) and learned how to play my horn at the same time, so it wasn't a very painful experience at the time. (I'm not vouching for my parents' or sister's experiences during this phase of my playing)

Years after I got fairly good at my baritone/euphonium, I picked up the viola and could. not. stand. how bad I sounded-- I wanted to immediately be at the same proficiency at a string instrument as I'd accomplished with the brass one. Go figure, huh?

Re: French horn again

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 3:12 pm
by Sue B
So in the midst of playing in the pit for the musical his high school put on (Fiddler on the Roof), my ds also competed to try to get to State on his french horn. I linked his solo to anyone who might be interested. Nerves got to him a bit, but I'm still a proud mama. The judge was thoroughly unimpressed, but whateveah. For some reason, no brass players from our entire District IV area (at least a dozen schools) ever makes it to State. I plan on attending the state event to see if the chosen players are really THAT special. It's gotten to the point that schools are no longer sending their brass players to District. :( Otoh, top 2 strings in every division are all sent to State, which means our hs is sending a pile of orchestra kids. Our bass player alone will be competing in 3 events there! He's really good and is considering becoming a professional musician. Why aren't brass and winds handled that way???

https://youtu.be/IEO4sROe8jc

Our musical, btw, was wonderful--the kids really outdid themselves. :D

Re: French horn again

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 3:30 pm
by MaryC
Ponichiwa wrote:Years after I got fairly good at my baritone/euphonium, I picked up the viola and could. not. stand. how bad I sounded-- I wanted to immediately be at the same proficiency at a string instrument as I'd accomplished with the brass one. Go figure, huh?


This was me, played flute forever but my high school band had a bazillion flutes and no french horns, so I switched my senior year because I thought it would be fun. Went from Mozart and Bach to oompahs. Was so frustrated at being a beginner again that I continued my flute lessons just to remind myself I could play something well! And went back to flute in college.

Re: French horn again

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:09 pm
by KathyK
Sue B wrote:So in the midst of playing in the pit for the musical his high school put on (Fiddler on the Roof), my ds also competed to try to get to State on his french horn. I linked his solo to anyone who might be interested. Nerves got to him a bit, but I'm still a proud mama. The judge was thoroughly unimpressed, but whateveah. For some reason, no brass players from our entire District IV area (at least a dozen schools) ever makes it to State. I plan on attending the state event to see if the chosen players are really THAT special. It's gotten to the point that schools are no longer sending their brass players to District. :( Otoh, top 2 strings in every division are all sent to State, which means our hs is sending a pile of orchestra kids. Our bass player alone will be competing in 3 events there! He's really good and is considering becoming a professional musician. Why aren't brass and winds handled that way???

https://youtu.be/IEO4sROe8jc

Our musical, btw, was wonderful--the kids really outdid themselves. :D

Yes, he seemed like the nerves got to him, but what a great thing to compete like that. Lovely piece, too.