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Why Did I Use a Descant Horn on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5?I used the descant horn for the tiny bit of extra security it provided me with. For a completely unquantified estimate I could hit all of the notes in the solo with the double horn 97% of the time but with the descant horn I could hit them 99% of the time. That extra security allowed me to stop worrying about missing notes and to start thinking about the music. Although I would have no problem playing that solo on a double horn in the future, I would use a descant horn again if one was available. 3 comments to Why Did I Use a Descant Horn on Shostakovich Symphony No. 5? |
Derek J. Wright is a professional musician and hornist. Click on the links above to learn more about him. |
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Copyright © 2010 DEREK JUSTIN WRIGHT - All Rights Reserved |
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Hi,
I found your website when searching for information on descant horns. I’ve played horn for the last 15 years, but only on a Conn 8D. I recently acquired a Holton descant horn and have no idea how to play it. Are there fingering charts for it out there?
Thanks!
The Bb side of a descant horn uses normal Bb horn fingerings. The high F side of the descant horn uses the F horn fingerings from one octave below. I switch from the Bb side of the horn to the high F side on the Ab above the staff (G and below I stick to the Bb side.) I only use my descant horn on rare occasions, very high passages that need to be played softly or lightly.
I’m with you, Derek. The audience doesn’t care how you get it. I use anything that will help get the job done. In my case, it’s a Schmid F/Bb/Eb triple. Descants don’t help you play high, but they give you a couple of per cent better average on the sticky bits up high. And alleluia for that.
Let me know when your pedagogy book comes out – I would like to buy a copy.
Keep up the good work and greetings to JQE!
Jeff Agrell