https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog daily 0.75 2026-03-20 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/shatter-the-glass monthly 0.5 2025-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1748876527434-9FG2CXQLV1OFU90BNDHD/unsplash-image-NeK5dKVhnig.jpg brainblog - shatter the glass - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/goin-to-the-shed-part-1 monthly 0.5 2025-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/84218801-a696-40dd-b3bb-ac0f6a40a496/unsplash-image-o-xPKXGnFqo.jpg brainblog - goin’ to the shed (part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/how-to-practice monthly 0.5 2025-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1747232795425-6EM0FLNUJVQHHBDV5LMC/unsplash-image-R5S4OQpG0lE.jpg brainblog - how to practice… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/come-to-your-senses monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/eac717b9-4650-459a-b94d-136167816988/ears.jpeg brainblog - it’s time to come to your senses - So what is your sound concept? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/7e7faee1-286c-42b0-b7cb-e548aa911451/image-asset.jpg brainblog - it’s time to come to your senses - You must do the work. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/a-few-more-truth-isms-about-teaching monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/losing-yourself-to-find-out-who-you-are-ie-just-do-it monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1932fa1f-1a28-4279-b2e4-400844afe4da/basketballgame.jpeg brainblog - losing yourself to find out who you are, i.e. just do it - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/0c672ada-1c0e-4cd1-98dc-e36dbb5a0ebc/concert+hall.jpeg brainblog - losing yourself to find out who you are, i.e. just do it - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/summer-entertainment monthly 0.5 2023-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/d09971ab-b5b5-470f-be03-277af5c8af7d/summer+flamingo.jpeg brainblog - summer entertainment - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/listen monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/89696b23-bb71-4e01-ba40-d00070f2f768/listenpic.jpeg brainblog - Listen - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/alchemy monthly 0.5 2023-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/5c9372ad-dc73-4506-b1b1-6a7028b039d6/transformationpic.jpeg brainblog - Alchemy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/8de396a9-865d-408e-bf8c-3320b17a5ecf/wrestling+match.jpeg brainblog - Alchemy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/dis-traction monthly 0.5 2022-11-07 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/the-except-ional-student monthly 0.5 2022-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/86b36441-256d-41e9-9847-e350d12a6ffc/blank+canvas.jpeg brainblog - The “Except”-ional Student - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/df72d11e-1b5a-47f7-957a-e00cf7520836/stay+on+the+path.jpeg brainblog - The “Except”-ional Student - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/february-2-2022 monthly 0.5 2023-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/c378d8ba-508a-48a6-aa05-4c4100b8d2e1/2%3A22.jpg brainblog - February 2, 2022 - — a non-horn post— https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/do-you-live-in-your-rearview-mirror monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/warning-life-truths-that-also-happen-to-apply-to-music monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/are-you-in-your-forest monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/9a23dc2b-709a-4cab-bdb3-2820464a5e99/waterfall.jpg brainblog - are you in your forest? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/horn-haiku monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/daf92952-8c97-432c-b27b-458b05be4602/happynewyear.jpg brainblog - HoRn hAiKu Sometimes I think we really need to get away from what we are doing and refresh perspective. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/the-tree-in-my-path monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/28b70867-d076-4e6f-be57-c03dc6ac0c8d/tree+in+way.jpg brainblog - the tree in my path - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/66d761c6-51bb-4904-adf0-fdeec961292e/kayak.jpg brainblog - the tree in my path - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/xj8x26pvrjlidtcfl5fn4t0to0y9yt monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/2d3f1e20-bfda-4099-90cd-a774336c9717/nick-kane-TRP_tiirOlk-unsplash.jpg brainblog - go get in your arena.. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/the-high-range-is-easy monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/a-new-reality monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/its-not-about-you-1 monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/the-first-5-minutes monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/just-5-minutes monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/being-transitive monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/are-you-giving-yourself-a-pass monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/66b82cf0-39b8-42cb-8395-d6933ed2d177/mirror.jpg brainblog - are you giving yourself a pass? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/05eb947b-8164-498c-9d26-5298ad0a6b00/heart.jpg brainblog - are you giving yourself a pass? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/the-horn-students-silver-lining monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/9f17645b-c72a-4453-ba79-d94dd774c610/silver+lining.jpg brainblog - the horn student's silver lining - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/monkey-brain-and-the-critic monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/blog-post-title-two-f5brh monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/blog-post-title-three-lhm5w monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/72840499-7b15-44d2-8f86-afc37ba995d4/habits2.jpg brainblog - don’t do that - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thehornprofessor.com/brainblog/blog-post-title-four-4klc5 monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-05-17 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/mashed-potatoes-with-mushrooms-and-brussels-sprout-z2fwr monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588647101271-2Z1BJ6CARR5YPF46IMMW/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Mashed potatoes with mushrooms and brussels sprouts https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/beetsalad-pthee monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588646511943-7ND7VMAMYX4VNKBWFKT8/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Winter beet salad https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/goldenmilk-9c68a monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588644326233-XHNWNULHT6162VSVNMM6/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Golden milk https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/carrottahini-rg9hn monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588643295299-E37QMPWT8SI0CS3S0W0R/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Roasted carrots with walnuts and tahini https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/watermelonsalad-eljrz monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588642230099-V8VX84X0I1MY9Z5QUAUY/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Watermelon and feta salad https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/face-mask-d3ry6-2nfnw monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588641774965-6SR6G7N69MVRCYYTY6D9/Stocksy_comp_2263541.jpg BrainBlog - Spinach and persimmon salad https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/face-mask-ttjwe monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588193268657-ZR40QF5GTKGIINHMBIGG/image-asset.jpeg BrainBlog - Energizing face mask https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/ginger-soda-k6hb7-w85w4-n3abg monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588112672204-5R5EUMXRE0JNC5340XUI/Stocksy_comp_1276830.jpg BrainBlog - Salmon power bowl https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/ginger-soda-k6hb7-hm478 monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588110240245-9M0K0FBTMOBTTRR8ZSPN/Stocksy_comp_2610683.jpg BrainBlog - Fruit and yogurt bowl https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/pea-amp-goat-cheese-crostini-z9t7k monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588107039010-XOV7KLGV11SD788ED0MJ/Stocksy_comp_1615401.jpg BrainBlog - Pea and goat cheese crostini https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588107306104-9A7C74TZ8VV2KO71MBBU/Stocksy_comp_1615401.jpg BrainBlog - Pea and goat cheese crostini https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588107066845-1W1OJIA4APRMC3QSFNZ0/Stocksy_comp_2054574.jpg BrainBlog - Pea and goat cheese crostini https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/5fc13kx3gk3xyhnyx4gajo22ky42m0-y3fb5 monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588105503045-KGKEQNFRUH50V5B76555/Stocksy_comp_1953842.jpg BrainBlog - Avocado toast https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/ginger-soda-5azfs monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e9e44e143969e061c2ed8fa/1588106309579-O1Z1WILO0N4M30RWB9Q8/Ginger+Soda BrainBlog - Ginger soda https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/category/Recipe monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/category/Wellness monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Beauty monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Breakfast monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Autumn monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Winter monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Dinner monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Summer monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Skin monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Snack monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Drink monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/blog/tag/Spring monthly 0.5 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/home daily 1.0 2024-08-09 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/playperformteach daily 0.75 2023-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/5a14ec9b-031c-49c6-9e57-9e815e391841/mouthpiece+copy.jpg play.perform.teach. - mouthpiece placement How to place your mouthpiece, where to put it, and what your face should look like https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/725ee0fe-7d06-47e7-9718-4880cdca87d8/will3-crop.jpg play.perform.teach. - it’s all about the buzz How to free buzz, buzz on the mouthpiece and troubleshooting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/4ea9f9e3-8a02-4034-86f8-bb3149794ae4/jessicahand2.jpg play.perform.teach. - right hand position Where your right hand should go tailored to you, how to shape your hand and what it should look and feel like https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/742c2d93-bdce-415b-8ee0-83d465771b49/hornonface.jpg play.perform.teach. - simple steps to fix common problems Directors and students have questions, here you can find answers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1694352279867-HXY0F2QHVBMCL1RMJ2FJ/image-asset.jpeg https://www.thehornprofessor.com/about daily 0.75 2022-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/748d3107-0a3c-4212-8350-b3da6043e70e/Abigail_Final_15_RGB.jpeg about - Abigail Pack I was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and went to East Carolina University for my undergraduate degree. I originally went to college for art because I wanted to be a high school art teacher! I loved to paint and learned a lot, but a future in public education as an art teacher was not to be (I just didn't have the talent). As a young person, I also loved band! I joined band in the 8th grade, then went to high school and joined the marching band. I also joined the local youth orchestra and played in the high school concert band. I never intended to get a degree in music, but family encouraged me to audition for the school of music because I come from a musical family. I saw the writing on the wall and dropped the art major to pursue a music education degree because I loved the idea of teaching young people. Music education was a great fit at that time because I learned more about teaching, but I wouldn't say I was ever a superstar horn player. See, I hadn't had any real training on the horn. I will never forget in the 8th grade, my mom handing me a little single horn in a case along with a cassette tape simply called "The Horn." I played this tape over and over again! I didn't have any music, so I transcribed Mozart's 3rd Horn Concerto onto some blank staff paper so that I could play along. I also held notes out as long as I could and timed myself to see if I could beat my own records (sounds like long tones, eh?). I was self-taught until I took a few lessons, first with a trumpet player (this was a debacle and I learned many bad habits), then later with a local community horn player to get ready for college (which introduced me to a whole host of new bad habits). Fast-forward to college, where I played in the marching band for fun and sat last chair in the lowest band. Once the art degree became a wash (I simply didn't have enough talent), I put all of my eggs in the music education basket. I taught summer high school band camp brass sectionals, private lessons and successfully completed 11 1/2 weeks of student teaching. I loved my college professors and the entire program because I learned so much, however, becoming a high school band director was not to be either. Why not? Because I didn't like standing on the podium leading, I wanted to sit in the horn section and help the horn section in particular by playing! It became crystal clear to me at that very moment that I wanted to be a player. I immediately started looking at graduate schools for horn performance. Luckily, I had some very fantastic college professors give me some great advice about where to apply. Consequently, I received a teaching assistantship at the University of Iowa. Here, I taught all non-major horn lessons, horn methods, and helped run the studio and perform in place of my professor while she was on sabbatical. This was a tremendous experience. While a student there, I also won a job in a regional orchestra and began adjunct teaching horn lessons at a neighboring college. Upon graduation I moved to Colorado to teach as adjunct faculty at Western State College and serve as a longterm substitute music teacher in the public schools there. A future in collegiate teaching was fast becoming my dream although I loved to play too. I had already won jobs, was runner up in a competition, performed in an international music festival and learned and performed as solo E flat Tenor Horn in a professional brass band. It was a hard decision to leave all of the great things in Colorado, but I knew to seal-the-deal towards having my own studio some day, I would need to get a doctorate. My dream school was an easy decision - I applied, and was fortunate to become a teaching fellow at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I knew that I had to study and learn from a great teaching mentor, and chose Douglas Hill (to read about this amazing man, click here). During my final year of coursework there in 2001, I won the horn teaching position at James Madison University where I remained until 2008. I was personally invited by the music Dean at the time of University of North Carolina Greensboro to apply for their horn opening. I have happily continued to build my career at UNCG since 2008 teaching horn majors, minors, brass methods, brass literature, a fantastic horn choir, brass quintets, and chamber groups. My playing and teaching career is long, deep and continues to grow! i have played with, or held positions with, the Barton Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival Orchestra, the Southwest Chamber Orchestra, the Opera Roanoke Orchestra, the Southeast Brass Quintet and the esteemed Monarch Brass. I continue to perform with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra as substitute utility horn, and substitute regularly with the Greensboro and Winston Salem Symphony Orchestras. Past groups include the Iowa Brass Quintet, Western Slope Brass Band, and Massanutten Brass Band. Other exciting performance and presentation highlights include the National Flute Association (Washington D.C. with the Montpelier Winds), the International Horn Symposium (University of Cape Town, South Africa, University of Alabama, Ithaca College), the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference (Chicago 2003 and 2008), the Kennedy Center of The Performing Arts (Washington), the International Double Reed Conference (Athens, GA), and as guest Clinician at the 2017 American Band College (Ashland, OR). https://www.thehornprofessor.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-12-17 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/mouthpieceplacement daily 0.75 2022-02-04 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/mouthpiece-placement daily 0.75 2022-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/8069a500-fda1-4353-80d5-811f237445d0/Jessica3.jpg mouthpiece placement - mouthpiece placement WHAT THE HECK IS EINSETZEN ANYWAY? AND WHAT ABOUT THAT ANSETZEN??! IS THAT A THING TOO? There are some strange-sounding words, like einsetzen and ansetzen that get tossed around to describe how the mouthpiece is put on a horn player’s face. Have you ever heard these terms before? First of all, let’s define what these words mean. I’m a ‘word-nerd’, so I love to look up meanings and origins of words and word use. These two words are just common words in the German language. They have many inferences, just like words in English that have multiple meanings and references. In the case of mouthpiece placement, einsetzen means “inserted” or “put in” and ansetzen means “set” or “put on”. Do you see how EIN sounds like IN, and AN sounds like ON? That’s an easy way to remember which is which—and will have more meaning as we go. However, there are 3 very important things to remember: 1) the buzz must be independent of the mouthpiece 2) the ability to buzz on the mouthpiece must be independent of the horn 3) the tongue is unrelated (more on the tongue later) Disclaimer: these sorts of topics are best handled in person and everybody’s different (every body IS different!). ***If you, or your students, need any help with these concepts and need a consultation, subscribe to my email list and drop me a line*** I will also be announcing a private youtube channel coming soon! These fancy German words EIN and AN are referring to where the mouthpiece rim sits ON or IN the bottom lip, i.e. (and very simply put) you can see the red of the bottom lip below the rim (EIN), or you cannot (AN). The ‘-setzen’ is where the mouthpiece ‘sets’. SO HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE remember that #1 important thing above “the buzz must be independent of the mouthpiece” 1. make your embouchure by free-buzzing 2. place the mouthpiece on your lips where: *it is comfortable *it is centered from left to right *it is higher than lower (2/3rd upper lip, 1/3 lower lip) ---the rest will be determined by your unique set up and your sound. Need more help?? email me at thehornprofessor@gmail.com Check back often for new posts and updates! https://www.thehornprofessor.com/buzz daily 0.75 2022-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/156f07ec-5876-4af7-801b-42f2e7a3458f/will2.jpg it's all about the buzz - it’s all about the buzz 3 THINGS TO DO TODAY TO HELP THE FREE BUZZ Buzzing without the mouthpiece, or free buzzing, is often a mystery to horn players and band directors. We know we have to do it to make a sound, but why is it so hard? Like anything, developing a good technique takes time and practice. But you have to know the best ways to get there in the first place. Here are 3 great ways to get the buzz sounding better (even if you can’t free-buzz yet). Spit a Seed! Pretend like you have something in your mouth and you are spitting it out. Sometimes it even helps to PUT something in your mouth that you can spit out (like an actual seed or piece of paper). Put your tongue behind your lips and give one slightly forceful spit with some air behind it. Make motor boat or weed whacker sounds at different speeds. Have you ever been to the lake or heard someone doing yard work? I have heard boats start "slow" in the no-wake zone get slowly faster across the lake. Your buzz can change speeds too. Practice copying those sounds. If your buzz can't get faster yet, don't worry, keep developing that muscle slower and try matching low notes on a piano. Hold a straw or plastic coffee stir between the lips where the aperture is (this is the opening through which air passes when we buzz/play). Use your muscles to hold it there as if you were going to play, but just blow air through that tiny opening. Remove the straw/stir and close the aperture a little until a buzz starts. This is good calisthenics exercise. Need more help?? email me at thehornprofessor@gmail.com https://www.thehornprofessor.com/right-hand-position daily 0.75 2022-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/d227a736-7d66-45fb-828e-61988ac3a789/jessicahand.jpg right hand position - right hand position https://www.thehornprofessor.com/commonproblems daily 0.75 2022-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/a06bfc83-c534-40de-b9cc-dc3f09e4d322/teachout+copy.jpg common problems - #1 posture How to set up good body posture: stand up, stretch crown of head to the ceiling keep feet shoulder width apart relax shoulders and arms only use biceps to lift the horn sit down – stay on "sit" bone Is your sound weak? Are you unable to get a full breath? Do you have back, arm, shoulder pain? If you answered 'yes' to any of these, you may need better posture! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/e43348d7-759e-4369-91ed-bbcc57ec3cee/youngmp.jpg common problems - #2 mouthpiece placement How to set up good mouthpiece placement: 2/3 upper lip: 1/3 lower lip anchor on the lower lip and rest on upper lip avoid pressure on upper lip – how?? build muscle mouthpiece must adjust to teeth/braces/size of lips fuller lips generally work better with larger diameter mouthpieces Braces will require adjustments (range will likely be confined to the lower register which can be advantageous to the student) Are high notes way too hard? Do low notes seem out of reach? Does your mouthpiece slide off the bottom lip? Is your free buzz or mouthpiece buzz non-existent? If you answered 'yes' to any of these, you may need to reevaluate your mouthpiece placement! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/32bff3c8-5c0e-4c46-abbd-15e038a3bb85/younghand.jpg common problems - #3 right hand placement How to set up good right hand position: left hand fits on valve paddles thumb in ring/on trigger pinky in pinky hook, or free if possible invest in Velcro hand grip https://poperepair.com/leather-specialties-horn-holding-strap-velcro/ There are permanent options, but they are expensive and, well, permanent…(leather grips/tennis tape) right hand cups water/pageant wave Is your sound really muffled? Is your pitch always flat or always really sharp? Do you have a lot of trouble with stopped horn? Does your right arm /shoulder ache or feel unrelaxed? If you answered 'yes' to any of these, you may need to change your right hand position! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/36cac1f6-1da2-498a-adca-a4a889bd9ac1/embouchure.jpeg common problems - #4 buzzing and the embouchure How to perfect the buzz: (don't forget to make sure your mouthpiece placement in correct) 1. Wet Lip (mouthpieces will stick to dry lip) 2. Say ”Mmmmm..” 3. add a ”Puuu” like you’re going to say “Put” 4. Spit a Seed, then try and sustain the buzz 5. Look for a diamond shape around the aperture where the buzz occurs, like this <o> Are you someone who has never been able to free buzz? If this is you, you're not alone. If you don't think it's possible to have a strong and pure free buzz, you are someone who may need my help! If you answered 'yes' to any of these, you may need to reevaluate your mouthpiece placement! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/627dfa90-4dba-4d3d-9bc7-9ea72cb0b0f2/emma.jpeg common problems - #5 not enough air How to help with more air: 1. think about how air is used- -what are 2 occasions where you are not thinking about the ‘HOW’ of breathing? •sleeping •cardio breathing (during or after exercise) 2. imagine how a balloon is filled 3. try some things like laying flat on the floor to feel relaxed breathing, then do some jumping jacks to feel your body moving air naturally. 4. hold out your hand in front of your face (or piece of paper) with horn embouchure and aperture to feel stream of cold air 5. BUZZ EVERYTHING ON THE MOUTHPIECE 6. all breathing exercises should be with a general horn embouchure and horn aperture Are you someone who struggles to play a simple phrase? Is your sound weak and unsupported? Do you struggle playing loud notes? If you answered 'yes' to any of these, you may need help expanding and understanding good use of air! https://www.thehornprofessor.com/beginners daily 0.75 2022-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/95909e57-94fa-4344-a4bf-17c9b4ebeaf3/emma2.jpg Beginners - screening beginners Things to do if you have a student that wants to play horn (or you need horn players in your band): 1. pitch matching and the ear, test them -are pitches higher or lower than…? -can you sing the same pitch? -can you buzz the same pitch? 2. dominate hand, ask them -are you left-handed? 3. check out their dentals -how are your teeth? -are there any sharp edges? -do they have a severe overbite or underbite? - are they wearing, or will need braces? **none of these preclude becoming a horn player, but all will be things to address! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/5d1737ab-000a-4da3-a1b1-6db36d760253/bandkids.jpg Beginners - moving to horn from another instrument Things to consider if you are moving a student to horn from something else: 1. moving from other brass -the number one thing to stress is mouthpiece placement, it is NOT the same -horn mouthpiece placement must be higher on the lip than halfway -other considerations: range, left-handed, good ear 2. moving from woodwinds and anything else -start a completely NEW embouchure from scratch -my biggest observation is surprise at quantity of air/overblowing from WW’s, brass is more resistant that flute, but less than oboe therefore breathing and use of air will change -same “other considerations”: also range and clef reading, left-handed, good ear and the ability to match pitch since we are now dealing with the overtone series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/f3fd094d-c998-492d-8d86-61eeed1c2126/beginners2.jpg Beginners - 5 Steps for the beginner on Day 1 The first 5 things every beginner needs to know: 1.how to open the case 2.how to pick up the horn 3.how sit and hold the horn 4.how to breathe/buzz/play/make a sound 5.how to empty the spit and put it back in the case **check back soon for attachments and videos on this - subscribers only!!** https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/0f7da2de-e9f2-4f05-9b87-8221869d6d22/spit1.jpeg Beginners - A simple guide to spit and condensation Water (spit or condensation) needs to be emptied carefully every day! 1.When in doubt, pull it OUT! -slides are either directly to valve, F or B flat tuning only, or main tuning slide -If you don’t know what it goes to, pull it out and try to play something on both sides of the horn (F or B flat/without trigger or with) 2. the FIRST slide from mouthpiece is ALWAYS the MAIN TUNING slide and where all of the spit is, everything else is condensation and must be removed by individual slides or by rolling out **check back soon for attachments and videos on this - subscribers only!!** https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847762019-6FVSEHEZWIGMCJ5QASPI/image-asset.jpeg Beginners - Quick Troubleshooting E.H.R.for Troubleshooting sound problems (Emergency Horn Response) ***NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS*** 1.it all comes back to buzzing – is the aperture free to vibrate? 2.is the mouthpiece in the right place? 3.is the chin flat? 4.is there air moving through? 5.and what about that tongue? (more on this coming..) 6.is the right hand too covered? **still no luck? start at top of list in front of a mirror, with your teacher, or send me a sound/video example so I can help you!!** https://www.thehornprofessor.com/it-all-comes-back-to-buzzing daily 0.75 2023-05-21 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/fundamentals daily 0.75 2023-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/afb01a4f-4755-43a5-a3a5-aee0dcc01536/image-asset.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1694351343963-Q0IWTTZ1XWP3JBVDHRDT/image-asset.jpeg https://www.thehornprofessor.com/intonation daily 0.75 2023-12-18 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/the-basics-of-tuning-the-horn daily 0.75 2023-12-16 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/how-to-play-in-a-section daily 0.75 2023-12-16 https://www.thehornprofessor.com/intonation-exercises daily 0.75 2023-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/2c4e2647-ba53-4274-a76e-00ff85e6fa22/intonation1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/63fd3d11-3581-49d8-bfe5-7b21f965e5aa/F+horn+overtone+workout.jpg https://www.thehornprofessor.com/audiovideo daily 0.75 2024-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/5dfb74cb-656d-4ab8-888e-804335253ee3/hornlayout.jpg audio/video Gallay Unmeasured Prelude, Op. 27 #37 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1643934688492-ZAL4ZVWPSIDPAY8O39AE/hornonrug2.jpg audio/video Gallay Unmeasured Prelude, Op. 27, #27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/79c1c83a-1b71-42ca-85c8-461118c99912/hornpic.jpg audio/video That Blue Haired Tenor Man Boogie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/c4ceb983-5c4e-4953-a058-90adb317e33b/abconchwintergreen.jpg audio/video Hering Progressive Studies for Trombone #28 (recorded with metronome to demo the importance of time in exercises such as these) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/b0d8812b-ebc3-4bce-bfd0-838a6f160eb5/french-horn_%7EFrnchorn+copy.jpg audio/video Hering Progressive Study for Trombone #33 (recorded with metronome to demo the importance of time in exercises such as these) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61fc4a48a4aee97355ae119a/1652821267257-IW9F5AUFBTB9T4HERB5E/forestfortrees.jpg audio/video Mahler "The Song of the Earth" https://www.thehornprofessor.com/media daily 0.75 2022-05-29