2 answers
Ryan
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What are some things I can do know to get better at French Horn for College?
I play the French horn at school and have played songs such as " Dancing Fire " and "Festive Overture". My range is a pedal C to a double F above the staff. My greatest weakness is probably note accuracy on unfamiliar pieces or intense sections. What can I do to help minimise this issue (along with general advice to help me before auditions).
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2 answers
MaryAnn Ivan
Musical Director/Composer
23
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
MaryAnn’s Answer
Hello Ryan, et. all reading.
How wonderful you found this site. There are good questions and good answers everywhere. Just poking around a bit, you will find very good information.
Congrats to be a Player !
French Horns are specialty instruments these days; along with Oboes, Trombones, Bassoons, English Horns, and Harp. ; and a very good way to get yourself a scholarship at a notable university or college. IF you are willing to play in their orchestra , the colleges are very generous. If you are applying for a prestigious Music school such as Julliard, Manhattan School of Music, Curtis, Berklee, etc. , you really have to absorb yourself in the instrument’s repertoire. They are wonderful institutions as a means of study- but as always- the work is up to you to further advance yourself. I tell myself this same thing all the time. It is UP TO YOU.
The playing auditions are usually “Blind” auditions ,where as, no one sees you and you play behind a screen. That way there is no favoritism. It’s the same way they audition symphony orchestras.
I do want to point out that quite a bit of the music you will be playing is NOT - “Songs.” Songs have words. That is the first thing any Music Teacher will tell you. "Festive Overture" ….mmmmm not a song. Refer to them as Pieces. Call anything a song- that has no words; and ears will perk as well as eyebrows. It’s not “that bad” but those who know- “know.” lol
As a composer, I can tell you that we listen for # 1 intonation coupled with attack. We all know the French Horn is not a “fast” instrument so you may want to study tonguing technique. We also listen for the blending of your section with each other and also with the orchestra. How loud is piano. How loud is metzo- forte-. How loud is the swell of the dynamic. Are all players listening to each other ? Same attack. Same swell. Same diminuendo. etc. Dynamics. Personality wise and musically wise. (Is that a word ? )
Horns are a favorite instrument of Hollywood composers so you may want to familiarize yourself with modern day film music, and listen to their use. ( “Glory” the Civil War film - James Horner. Amazing.) Older films use orchestras more than the current times. The bigger the budget the bigger the orchestra. Listen to video game music and film sound tracks along with your classical study. You may want to poke around Los Angeles and get involved with the young musicians weekend seminar at Warner Brothers. You will spend a weekend sight reading film scores on the Lot.
Mostly - EDUCATE YOURSELF.
You have to be able to play all styles and genres. I am a pianist. But - pianos are limited. I don’t BREATH with the instrument. You can put your full body and life into yours bc you breath with it. You THINK with it.
As far as your reading; Set up a system for yourself of Flashcards. Write the note on the staff, write its name on the BACK of the card. Quiz yourself. Also, as a transposing instrument; write on the back of the Flashcard the name of the note in Concert Pitch as well. Have a friend or someone in your family quiz you.
Master your scales and your chordal theory. Music Theory is finite, as it has a big learning curve, but poof ! It ends. Then you apply it. Math ? That’s a different story. hahah.
The only way to get better at sight reading is TO SIGHT READ.
The Los Angeles musicians SIGHT READ THE FILM SCORES. ONE take ? Two takes in the studio ? Done. They are THAT impressive.
You didn’t mention where you are located. I encourage you to take Master Classes, sight read as much as possible, listen and FOLLOW THE SCORES as much as possibly (if you have access to a Listening Library at a College near you this can be done easily) , have your band or orchestra teacher get involved.
YOU can DO THIS. It is nothing to be afraid of and I am glad you a preparing.
Be excited !
Many universities and colleges accept and give good scholarships to musicians b/c they need players in their orchestras. Apply to be a science major but hey - you play French Horn. Boom ! Scholarship. At least that is how it has been…. I may be wrong.
I went to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. GREAT school. Talk with your HS Guidance counselor. Ask your teachers. They will guide you best.
You have a 50% foot hold already simply by playing an instrument which is in high demand with few great players. I am excited for your future !
Work on the “Elephant Riff” … and be careful to NOT over practice.
Everyone loves a French Horn.
Good luck, kid !
Mary Ann Ivan
How wonderful you found this site. There are good questions and good answers everywhere. Just poking around a bit, you will find very good information.
Congrats to be a Player !
French Horns are specialty instruments these days; along with Oboes, Trombones, Bassoons, English Horns, and Harp. ; and a very good way to get yourself a scholarship at a notable university or college. IF you are willing to play in their orchestra , the colleges are very generous. If you are applying for a prestigious Music school such as Julliard, Manhattan School of Music, Curtis, Berklee, etc. , you really have to absorb yourself in the instrument’s repertoire. They are wonderful institutions as a means of study- but as always- the work is up to you to further advance yourself. I tell myself this same thing all the time. It is UP TO YOU.
The playing auditions are usually “Blind” auditions ,where as, no one sees you and you play behind a screen. That way there is no favoritism. It’s the same way they audition symphony orchestras.
I do want to point out that quite a bit of the music you will be playing is NOT - “Songs.” Songs have words. That is the first thing any Music Teacher will tell you. "Festive Overture" ….mmmmm not a song. Refer to them as Pieces. Call anything a song- that has no words; and ears will perk as well as eyebrows. It’s not “that bad” but those who know- “know.” lol
As a composer, I can tell you that we listen for # 1 intonation coupled with attack. We all know the French Horn is not a “fast” instrument so you may want to study tonguing technique. We also listen for the blending of your section with each other and also with the orchestra. How loud is piano. How loud is metzo- forte-. How loud is the swell of the dynamic. Are all players listening to each other ? Same attack. Same swell. Same diminuendo. etc. Dynamics. Personality wise and musically wise. (Is that a word ? )
Horns are a favorite instrument of Hollywood composers so you may want to familiarize yourself with modern day film music, and listen to their use. ( “Glory” the Civil War film - James Horner. Amazing.) Older films use orchestras more than the current times. The bigger the budget the bigger the orchestra. Listen to video game music and film sound tracks along with your classical study. You may want to poke around Los Angeles and get involved with the young musicians weekend seminar at Warner Brothers. You will spend a weekend sight reading film scores on the Lot.
Mostly - EDUCATE YOURSELF.
You have to be able to play all styles and genres. I am a pianist. But - pianos are limited. I don’t BREATH with the instrument. You can put your full body and life into yours bc you breath with it. You THINK with it.
As far as your reading; Set up a system for yourself of Flashcards. Write the note on the staff, write its name on the BACK of the card. Quiz yourself. Also, as a transposing instrument; write on the back of the Flashcard the name of the note in Concert Pitch as well. Have a friend or someone in your family quiz you.
Master your scales and your chordal theory. Music Theory is finite, as it has a big learning curve, but poof ! It ends. Then you apply it. Math ? That’s a different story. hahah.
The only way to get better at sight reading is TO SIGHT READ.
The Los Angeles musicians SIGHT READ THE FILM SCORES. ONE take ? Two takes in the studio ? Done. They are THAT impressive.
You didn’t mention where you are located. I encourage you to take Master Classes, sight read as much as possible, listen and FOLLOW THE SCORES as much as possibly (if you have access to a Listening Library at a College near you this can be done easily) , have your band or orchestra teacher get involved.
YOU can DO THIS. It is nothing to be afraid of and I am glad you a preparing.
Be excited !
Many universities and colleges accept and give good scholarships to musicians b/c they need players in their orchestras. Apply to be a science major but hey - you play French Horn. Boom ! Scholarship. At least that is how it has been…. I may be wrong.
I went to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. GREAT school. Talk with your HS Guidance counselor. Ask your teachers. They will guide you best.
You have a 50% foot hold already simply by playing an instrument which is in high demand with few great players. I am excited for your future !
Work on the “Elephant Riff” … and be careful to NOT over practice.
Everyone loves a French Horn.
Good luck, kid !
Mary Ann Ivan
Wow, you obviously put a lot of time in this response and it's filled with some spectacular advice. Thank you very much, and I'll be sure to continue to work on my playing!
Ryan
Jessica Griffith
Student
24
Answers
Canton, Ohio
Updated
Jessica ’s Answer
Ryan,
Try downloading some sheet music of different genres for French horn,that will give you a lot of different options and styles of music to learn. Try to do a complicated music piece in order to be good at complex music notes. There may be tutorials and learning sites available as well. Good luck!!!!
Try downloading some sheet music of different genres for French horn,that will give you a lot of different options and styles of music to learn. Try to do a complicated music piece in order to be good at complex music notes. There may be tutorials and learning sites available as well. Good luck!!!!