The natural horn is a musical instrument that is the ancestor of the modern-day horn, and is differentiated by its lack of valves. It consists of a mouthpiece, some long coiled tubing, and a large flared bell. Pitch changes are made through a few techniques:
- Modulating the lip tension as done with modern brass instruments. This allows for notes in the harmonic series to be played.
- Changing the length of the instrument by switching the crooks. This is a rather slow process. Before the advent of the modern valved horn many ideas were attempted to speed up the process of changing the key of the instrument.
- Changing the position of the hand in the bell; this is called hand-stopping.
This instrument was used extensively until the emergence of the valved horn in the early 19th century.
Read more about Natural Horn: Handhorn Technique, Repertoire, Natural Horn and The Modern Horn
Famous quotes containing the words natural and/or horn:
“We have perhaps a natural fear of ends. We would rather be always on the way than arrive. Given the means, we hang on to them and often forget the ends.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
““I wanted there should be some there next year.”
“Of course you did. You left the rest for seed,
And for the backwoods woodchuck. You’re the girl!
A Ram’s Horn orchid seedpod for a woodchuck
Sounds something like. Better than farmer’s beans
To a discriminating appetite....””
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)