Horn: Difference between revisions
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A '''horn''' is a brass instrument with a conical bore. | |||
A ''natural horn'' has no valves, and can only play a series of overtones, which are near the [[harmonic series]]. | |||
The player can adjust the pitch of the note by placing their hand in the bell. | |||
In [[Historical temperaments|19th century]] technique, notes near the 7th and 11th [[harmonic]]s were often written and could be finagled with different hand placements. | |||
Even a [[Diatonic scale|C major scale]] in the lower octave could be negotiated. | |||
There was no avoiding an certain unevenness of tone, however. | |||
To satiate the modulatory desires of classical composers, horns were soon made with a system of interchangeable ''crooks'' which, when inserted, would give a variety of keys. | |||
But this only encouraged the composers, and soon they were writing parts for two pairs of horns in different keys. | |||
Instrument builders tried in many ways to combine multiple keys into a single horn, settling finally on the rotary valve system prevalent in horns today. | |||
==Valves== | |||
On a valved horn, there are three valves which the fingers of the left hand operates. The first valve causes the effective tube length to lengthen enough to lower the [[fundamental]] by a whole step (200¢). The second valve does the same, only by a half step (100¢), and the third, a minor third (300¢). In combinations these valves can lower the fundamental by up to a [[tritone]]. | |||
== | |||
A ''double horn'', on the other hand, has a thumb valve which switches between two keys, usually Bb and F. It does this by adding/subtracting an initial length of tubing and also (usually) with different lengths of tubes for the valves. | A ''double horn'', on the other hand, has a thumb valve which switches between two keys, usually Bb and F. It does this by adding/subtracting an initial length of tubing and also (usually) with different lengths of tubes for the valves. | ||
== | ==Microtonal playing== | ||
Horns are naturally microtonal since they play overtones. | |||
Harmonics relatively low in the harmonic series (such as 7, 11 and 13) can thus be played quite easily. | |||
Usually, players make hand adjustments to get their harmonic-series notes closer to equal temperament. | |||
So-called double horns (F horns with a Bb valve), go extremely sharp in the higher non-Bb-valve partials; the valve is used to get the upper register in tune. This means that these kinds of horns actually have a huge variety of intonation in the upper register through various combinations of valves. More than other brass instruments which are typically designed to have in-tune partials, and thus don't need that extra valve for tuning their high ranges. | So-called double horns (F horns with a Bb valve), go extremely sharp in the higher non-Bb-valve partials; the valve is used to get the upper register in tune. This means that these kinds of horns actually have a huge variety of intonation in the upper register through various combinations of valves. More than other brass instruments which are typically designed to have in-tune partials, and thus don't need that extra valve for tuning their high ranges. | ||
[[John Eaton]] has this useful tip from [http://www.newmusicbox.org/page.nmbx?id=17fp02 an interview in NewMusicBox]: tune the F side a quartertone lower than the Bb side! | |||
== | ==Extended valve systems== | ||
[[George Secor]] especially has done some thinking about valve systems extended to alternate EDOs. | |||
See the bottom of [http://sonic-arts.org/monzo/trumpet/trumpet-intonation.htm this page.] | |||
No cases of actual horns built yet. | |||
== | ==Microtonal repertoire== | ||
* György Ligeti's ''[ | * György Ligeti's ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008UVCE/103-4149462-7074248?v=glance&n=5174 Hamburg Concerto]'' "for horn & chamber orchestra with 4 obbligato natural horns" | ||
* ''Epilogue'' (1985) from ''Les Espaces Acoustiques'' by Gerard Grisey is for orchestra with 4 solo horns, in a (crystallized) harmonic-series paradigm | * ''Epilogue'' (1985) from ''Les Espaces Acoustiques'' by Gerard Grisey is for orchestra with 4 solo horns, in a (crystallized) harmonic-series paradigm | ||
* ''Horn'' by Larry Polansky, score featured in Xenharmonikon 14 | * ''Horn'' by Larry Polansky, score featured in Xenharmonikon 14 | ||
* [ | * [https://www.soundclick.com/pro/view/01/default.cfm?bandid=104245 Joseph Pehrson's] ''Harmonic Etude'' for solo horn, ''Nature's Harmony'' for two horns | ||
* [http://www.archive.org/details/JeffMorrisEtudeforHorn Jeff Morris' Etude for Horn] | * [http://www.archive.org/details/JeffMorrisEtudeforHorn Jeff Morris' Etude for Horn] | ||
* Richard Burdick's [http://www.i-ching-music.com/FREE102.html opus 102 Planetary Ripples] (1996) for 16 similar instruments, on a harmonic series up to the 27th partial | * Richard Burdick's [http://www.i-ching-music.com/FREE102.html opus 102 Planetary Ripples] (1996) for 16 similar instruments, on a harmonic series up to the 27th partial | ||
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* Salonen, Esa-Pekka (1958-) [http://www.chesternovello.com/ Concert Étude for solo horn in F] (2000) | * Salonen, Esa-Pekka (1958-) [http://www.chesternovello.com/ Concert Étude for solo horn in F] (2000) | ||
* Thompson, Timothy F. (1953-) [http://www.proquest.com/ Extended Techniques for the Horn An Historial Overview With pratical performance Applications] (1997) | * Thompson, Timothy F. (1953-) [http://www.proquest.com/ Extended Techniques for the Horn An Historial Overview With pratical performance Applications] (1997) | ||
* Adam Hoey, ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGHjDEqdSEw A Breaking Spine]'' (2023) for solo horn and 3 cellos | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Michael Hugh Dixon]] | * [[Michael Hugh Dixon]] a.k.a. the Brass Whisperer | ||
== Further reading == | == Further reading == | ||