Customer Reviews

Horn (Yehudi Menuhin music guides)

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3 star:		(1)
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Barry Tuckwell, from Melbourne, Australia, spent most of his life in the UK playing French horn in orchestras and as a soloist. In his later years, he has become an American citizen and is teaching in various places in the USA. No doubt he is the world's premier performer on this always-difficult instrument. As such, his book will be of interest to people concerned with the French horn, its development, history, and techniques. I doubt that there is any other book which covers the same ground with such a distinguished musician as the author. From discussion of shofars and hunting horns to detailed descriptions of valve technology, from biographies of famous horn players (such as the Brains of England) to instructions to students and teachers, it's all there. The text is sprinkled with numerous interesting photographs and diagrams. The chapter on composers and their use of French horn in various compositions is one of the most comprehensive. To say that Tuckwell "knows his stuff" is pretty much of an insult, coming from me. He's the world expert ! But unless you are a horn player or perhaps, the parent, wife, or husband of one, this book is going to prove rather too detailed or arcane. Can you sight-read music ? If not, a lot of pages are lost to you. I read HORN because it's a book of a totally different kind than I usually read. I got a lot of interesting information, but I was unfit to grasp much of what was offered. I fear that will be the case for most people. So, while this may be the five star book on the world of the French horn, it will remain a three star book for the average reader. It is necessarily aimed at horn players and other musicians. And by the way, neither Little Boy Blue nor Captain Horatio rate a mention

Although it has a few hints for players, Horn is not a how-to on playing technique. Rather, it provides historic background and context for anyone interested in the French horn. It includes the following chapters:

PRINCIPLES OF BRASS PLAYING
Very brief explanation of how a sound is produced and the harmonic series.

ANCESTRY
Survey starting with animal horns and sea shells used for signaling and military purposes. To metal hunting horns, later brought indoors as a novelty in theatrical performances, separate from the orchestra. To a full-fledged member of the orchestra and respected solo instrument. Includes brief descriptions and photos of the horn's design as it evolved, with drawings of the different kinds of valves used.

COMPOSERS AND THE HORN
Different approaches to writing music for the horn based on its evolution at the time and the composer's specific experience. As the horn was becoming accepted as a musical instrument, the most successful composers were those who had personal experience playing it, or close friends or relatives who did. Includes interesting comments on composers who didn't use it very well.

SOME MASTERS OF THE HORN
Early players, including some of the compositions they inspired. Includes brief information about national differences in technique. In the USA, he stops with three of Gumpert's students who immigrated from Europe (Horner, Pottag, Hess). I would have preferred he continue on to the next generation where distinctive American approaches evolved. But that would take us to the mid-20th century. So it would necessarily include people still living in 1983 and the author himself, who was a significant influence in both Britain and the US. That may be two good reasons for stopping when he did.

BUILDING THE HORN
The parts of the horn, comments on mouthpieces and mutes, insights into why modern horn players are required to transpose on the fly: because the earliest horn players weren't trained musicians.

ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS
Eleven pages of not very specific advice on types of horn (consult a good player), age (children too small to hold a horn properly should start on another brass instrument), right-hand technique, breathing (inhale only as much air as you need to get through the phrase), tonguing, lip trills.

HORN PLAYER, ARTIST AND TECHNICIAN
If a serious horn student found himself seated next to the author on an airplane, this might be what they'd talk about. Miscellaneous advice from an experienced artist who's had an amazing career.

Horn is well-written, anecdotal, easy to read, and not at all academic. Many points are illustrated with photos and drawings, some with musical notation. The only horn players who wouldn't appreciate this as a gift are those who already own it. First published in 1983 (UK).

There aren't many books about horn. The infamous horn soloist Barry Tuckwell did a great job introducing horn from all aspects in this book. A must for any Horn Lover!