THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL

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Introduction Orchestration Orchestration Resources Historical Andrew Hugill
  Philharmonia

HORN


Section: Brass
Transposing? Yes

Construction
Range
Articulations
Effects
Hand Positions and Mutes
Extended
Player's Tips and Tricks

Links

Effects

NAME
DESCRIPTION
NOTATION
LISTEN/VIEW
COMMENTS
cuivré
a 'brassy' sound
cuivré or 'brassy' written above note
cuivré
 Use for limited periods only.
bells up
raising the bell iinto the air
verbal instruction
 bells up Very striking when done by the whole horn section together, but primarily a theatrical effect.
glissando
slide in pitch between notes

glissando

hand glissando

glissandi

 Valve/lip glissando involves hitting as many harmonics as possible between two pitches. This is the standard glissando, but it is also possible to use the hand to slide a semitone.
trills
rapid alternation between two pitches

this shows a minor trill followed by a major trill, indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose trill type based on musical context. The wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional.
 trills
 Semitone trills work anywhere on the instrument. Whole tone trills can be more difficult, especially in the low to middle register. Lip trills between two harmonics work well in the upper and middle registers.
tremolo (or shake)
rapid alteration between two pitches more than a tone apart
tremolos Tremolos are not really feasible on the horn.