Frøydis Ree Wekre on myths and negative rules

When I started to play the horn as a teenager I got the firm impression that only people with thin lips would have the potential to become really good horn players. This myth stayed in the back of my mind for many years and certainly delayed my progress in several areas. My own, somewhat thick lips became the excuse and explanation for various problems. My own creative problem-solving and flow of new ideas on how to improve technically slowed down considerably because of believing in this myth.

Later I have run across other myths that for some people had been damaging to their progress and self confidence, but often later proven to be wrong.
Many of these myths turn into negative advice and rules on how not to do it. This kind of advice is handed out freely as pompous statements in the form of “never do this/never do that”, understood: “To do this or that is against every law, written or unwritten, and if you do this or that anyway, your playing/your chances/your whatever will be severely damaged.” 

Below follows a collection of such “nevers”; statements that can have a negative effect on the minds of sensitive people. Some of the rules are self-experienced, and others have been told me by students and colleagues. Each one will be presented separately with my comments.

“Never puff your cheeks.” My first horn teacher told me this, and I followed his advice obediently. However, one evening, as I was watching the orchestra where he played, I noticed something strange in the horn section; surprisingly for me, my own teacher puffed his cheeks occasionally! When asked about this during my next lesson, he thought about it for a while, then smiled and held firm to his earlier advice, but of course, the grain of doubt had been put into my mind. Later I have found that puffing the cheeks occasionally when playing in certain ranges or dynamics might help to give stiff corner muscles a quick, temporary relaxation. It might also help producing a different tone colour, if one is unable to create that on the normal, non-puffed setting. So, my answer to this rule would be: Yes, for the most part, although no rule without exceptions!

Brian Thomas & Seth Orgel

[Note: It is highly recommended to read the entire article that accompanies this survey list! The full article has great practical advice on audition preparation.]

The results of the audition repertoire were compiled from material found on 41 audition lists. The number in parentheses indicates the number of times the piece appeared on the different lists. The lists used were from both high and low horn auditions.

The repertoire lists were compiled from the following North American orchestras: Alabama, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Grant Park, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Rochester, San Antonio, Savannah, Seattle, Syracuse, Thunder Bay, Toledo, Tucson, Utah, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Vincent Cichowicz, Dale Clevenger, Mason Jones, Widge Kincaid, Steven Lawlis, David Orgel, Roseann Salamon, Norman Schweikert, and Harry Shapiro.

by Philip Farkas

Brass playing encompasses at least four distinct categories of functions and techniques. One of the most important of these is the formation of the embouchure - the adjustment of the mouth and facial muscles and the positioning of the tongue and mandible so that the lips will vibrate when blown through. The breathing apparatus - the diaphragm, the rib cage, the intercostal muscles, and the glottis - must be correctly coordinated to work in conjunction with and maintain efficient vibration of the lips.

The third factor in brass playing is the ability to hold the instrument in a comfortable yet steady playing position. This requires strong but relaxed skeletal muscles, particularly of the arms, shoulders, fingers, and even the legs of those players who stand while playing.

The fourth aspect of playing is the psychological one of combating stage fright, which is most often exhibited in trembling arms and legs, dry mouth, tachycardia, and mental disorientation. All too many potentially successful artists have had to give up the music profession because of the inability to cope with this stress.

by Rebecca Root

[Note: The personal situations described as "current" have of course changed since the original publication of this article in 1979. However the story and the lessons told in it are both timeless and universal.]

As I sit here on a Saturday night, (usually reserved for concerts) in my warm, comfortable house, instead of a cold, tension-filled orchestra hall I find the need to express my thoughts on some events in my life during the past ten years.

I have recently resigned my post as principal horn in the New Orleans Philharmonic and am currently enjoying my first year as horn instructor at Columbus College here in Columbus, Georgia. I must admit that nearly everyone in the music business discouraged me from quitting the position I'd had in the New Orleans Symphony for five years. But, as many people discover, when determined to marry, and live with another, one must be prepared for certain allowances and adjustments. Since my husband could not find employment as a voice teacher in the New Orleans area, we had to look in other cities for jobs. Columbus quickly accepted us, and we are now completely transplanted, after only fours months of living here.