Horn Notes Podcast

In this episode John Ericson tackles questions related to how different horns work better on different music in a variety of ways, the topic of how we think of transpostion, and how intuitive musicianship can help you scope out if something is wrong in your music.

In this episode Dr. Ericson tackles questions relating to what makes a bad horn a bad horn, earplugs (and bad ears), and improving loud dynamic playing.

In this episode John Ericson looks at the topic of Carl Geyer and his horns, and reflects on his recent series of articles ("Geyer Dreaming") on Horn Maters, as 2023 is the 100th anniversary year of the Geyer style double horn. Length 20:09

In this episode John Ericson looks at major updates done this summer to the University of Horn Matters, the free rep. and pedagogy courses posted in the Horn Matters website. Length 35:25

In this episode John Ericson looks back to a summer 40 years ago when he changed his embouchure for the first time, an embouchure injury the following year, and more. Length 27:59

In this episode John Ericson has a few stories related to vintage Giardinelli mouthpieces, a brief review of a book by Arthur Brooks, and more. Length 24:23

There are probably 1,000 ways to miss a note on the French horn, but one of the key items that will help improve your accuracy is proper selection of a better mouthpiece. In this episode John Ericson focuses on the topics of note connections, how those are impacted by mouthpiece choice, how to find better mouthpiece, and more. Lenght 25:22

In this episode John Ericson looks at the topic of practice and playing the French horn. Some teachers, in an effort to encourage progress, push duration and intensity of practice too far -- to the point of failure -- which is not a productive way to improve on the horn. Rest days, atheletic training, and tactics for good chops are discussed. Length 25:31

In this episode John Ericson examines the topic of moving on from Kopprasch in lesson teaching. These venerable etudes are dated music with many alternatives that may be used today. The episode concludes with further notes looking back at grad auditions for this year and more. Length 29:37

In this episode we look at the topic of a correct interpretation of the Till Eulenspiegel opening solo, with a focus on how Farkas taught the excerpt. Farkas learned the solo working with the conductor Frederick Stock, who had studied the work with Strauss, as he explains in an audio clip from a presentation at the 1989 Southwest Horn Workshop. Length 17:59