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

In this episode John Ericson returns to the overall topic of horn designs, and more specifically can the Kruspe type horn come back? Length 27:07

In this episode John Ericson looks at some of the issues related to getting going again with ensemble rehearsals and performances. Length 24:08

In this episode John Ericson looks at using drones to improve your warmup and your practice of French horn etudes and excerpts. The etude example is from Rangesongs by Rose French, and the excerpt is the opening of the Brahms second piano concerto. Length 14:43

In this episode with John Ericson the focus is on horn excerpts, with tips on performing Till, Brahms 2, and the Janacek Sinfonietta. Length 16:26

In this episode John Ericson reflects on a recent project, that of laying out his teaching method, and more. Length 20:10

In this episode John Ericson talks about warming-up on the F horn, his sabbatical project of building single F horns, and looking forward to more horn playing in the near future. Length 16:32

In this episode John Ericson examines the large topic of getting your chops back in shape after the long year of Zoom lessons and no ensembles. Length 21:16

In this episode John Ericson presents a "workshop session" on materials and techniques to use to improve your low horn performance. Length 22:54

Continuing the series of "workshop presentations," the topic for this episode is playing the Wagner tuba. Performed by horn players, these instruments are called for in works of Wagner, Bruckner, Strauss, and more. Length 13:19

Continuing the series of "workshop presentations," in this episode John Ericson presents a session introducing the performing techniques of the natural horn. Length 14:30