Inspired by my musical children I took up the French horn three years ago. I played the classical guitar as a teenager so could read music, but it had always been an ambition of mine to play in an orchestra/band.
It has not been easy. I have just lost my third teacher (through no fault of my own!). I passed Grade 1 with merit after 18 months of regular practise and enjoyed playing in an adult late starters orchestra for a year, but I have failed to progress as I can't reach notes higher than a C. My latest teacher put this down to not blowing enough air through plus a poor technique which was stopping me slurring up through the notes, and we had started trying to correct this with a new mouthpiece and trying to "unlearn" my bad habits.
Now teacherless, I'm not sure if I have the stomach or time to find another one and start the process again of trying to get over this hurdle which has been holding me back (it could be psychological too I reckon).
Am I brave enough to try another instrument instead - perhaps the flute or violin?
Or should I just give up all together and take up ballroom dancing instead!
Thanks for taking the time to read this - I'd welcome your views (don't laugh at my name on this site, my daughter set me up on it a while back and I don't know how to change it!)

Hello

You're obviously musical and instead of flogging a dead horse you should try something else rather then give up. The flute has the most affinity to the French Horn and that's what I'd recommend - but then I would say that Plus you'll find it so quiet and relaxing.

Hi Ali,
Don't give up, especially if you enjoy playing. One important thing to bear in mind when choosing a new instrumment, if you particularly want to play in a band or orchestra, is there a demand for that instrument. As a flute player I haven't come across many vacancies for flute players. Having said that I love the flute and most of the time find it very rewarding. Anyway good luck with what ever you choose, perhaps a return to classical guitar???

There often seems to be a demand for viola players ...

Don't give up! Perhaps it would be worth trying a different brass instrument so that the work you have done so far isn't wasted - a different mouthpiece/embouchure might make all the difference. I can imagine it might be difficult to find another horn teacher - I don't suppose there are a lot of them around. However, if you carry on with horn it will eventually pay off - you will definitely be in demand. Flute is lovely to play, but there are rather a lot of us about, so competition for places in bands etc is going to be a lot stiffer.

Perhaps it would be worth going further afield for a one off or a few lessons with another teacher just to see if you can sort out the technical problem that is holding you up at the moment. If you could crack that, you might feel differently about changing instruments.

Good luck, whatever you decide..

I think you should follow your heart - as an adult learner I think you can afford to do what you want rather that what's 'sensible'. Maybe you can try something else and come back to horn alter if you want an instrument that's in demand! I'm much happier since switching to flute; it would be nice to play a more unusual instrument but flute suits me far better - maybe you'll be the same.



Out of interest, why is that?

I think your daughter is trying to tell you something!

Yes, ironic isn't it!!

I picked the horn because I knew horn players were always in demand - since then so many people have told me it's hard to learn, so now I know why!

It's also meant that horn teachers are hard to find (especially as I work full-time so need to find someone who is happy to do weekends or evenings.)

Interestingly, I met someone recently who took up the trombone in their 60s and had a teacher turn him away on the basis that he was too old to develop any lip strength - is that true?

I don't imagine for one second that it is... it's just ageist!!
Hope he found a teacher who was prepared to take an adult student seriously.

for yourself if you are finding it difficult getting on with the horn maybe another brass instrument with a larger mouthpice would suit you. That way you'd have the head start of already knowing the fingerings for the notes.

One of the major attractions of the horn is its mellow, lyrical sound - which is created by its conical bore. It is one of the most - if not the most - lyrical, wobbliest and most slippery brass instruments. Which means notes can be difficult to nail, but it slips easily from one note to another. Other conical bore instruments - also lyrical, but not as much as the French horn - include the cornet, flugel horn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium and bass. The bigger ones are mellower than the smaller ones. The tenor horn, baritone and bass don't get many melodies and mainly play accompanying parts (which can be boring).

Brass instruments with a mainly cylindrical bore are noted more for their brassy, sharp tone - including the trumpet and the trombone.

Did you listen to the current radio serial about the adult horn re-learner performing to the British Horn Society? Very amusing.