Comments for Newhornist's Blog

Comment on Welcome! by amygabb

amygabb — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:19:28 +0000

Hey! I too am a french horn player. I am the only on in our high school band. think it’s so great that you are doing something you always wanted to pursue. I nominated you for the Most Versatile Blog award, here’s a link for the details: http://spellcheckaholic.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/me-im-so-flatered/

Comment on BSO Academy by newhornist

newhornist — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

I have applied! I hope I will get in.
I had no idea Phil was making a CD. I will get it ASAP.
Happy Holidays,
Tina

Comment on BSO Academy by k

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:01:52 +0000

Hi again Tina!
Just wondering if you are going to the BSO SMA again? Also, do you notice Phil’s new CD, Thin Space, is out at CDBABY.COM

Comment on School and other frustrations by Susan Abbott

Susan Abbott — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:51:29 +0000

Tina, Thanks for continuing to post! I enjoy reading about your journey. I was having a lot of trouble with my (borrowed) vintage horn and decided to casually look around for a replacement. I found one on Craigslist and when I answered the ad, I was surprised to find that the horn was being sold by a very well-known professional who plays in the local (major) orchestra! She was selling the horn for a student, and had had it checked over by the repair guy that the pros use. I have complete confidence in the instrument, which is a Yamaha 666. My teacher also played it and listened to me play it, alternating with my borrowed horn. I don’t know if this is my forever horn, but I’m delighted to have my very own horn again after all these years, and I’m pretty sure it will keep its value if I decide to upgrade in a few years. All in all, I’m happy with my investment, which was very modest when it comes to horns. Right after that, I got a request to play in a brass quintet, and it sounds like it will be a good next step for me along with the community band.

Susan

Comment on Welcome! by newhornist

newhornist — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:02:04 +0000

Hi Mark,
Thanks for writing! I’m selling my Otto horn but not because I don’t like it. I think Otto horns are great horns and they sound great. My initial issue was sound but that was me playing badly, not the horn. I, fortunately, fixed that issue with the horn but developed a physical problem while playing a 1969 8D that I got in the spring. The Conn is a heavy horn my already bad tendonitis in my left shoulder got worse to the point of not being able to hold the horn up to play it. I ended up practicing with my elbow on a table to relieve the pain. Consequently I started looking for the lightest horn I could find and I ended up with a Schmid which is why I’m selling the Otto. My shoulder problem isn’t solved but it’s a whole lot better.
As far as servicing an Otto, that probably depends on where you live and how you feel about shipping your horn around. Scott Bacon at Seigfried’s Call sells them and has mine there. He’s in Beacon, NY. Houghton Horns in Dallas, TX also sells them. Both are great dealers and first rate to do business with.
Feel free to email me if you want to chat more. tina.barkan@mac.com.
Sincerely,
Tina

Comment on Welcome! by Mark Duncan

Mark Duncan — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:45:47 +0000

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to ask (I’m not au fait with blogging)… however, I’m interested to hear about your Dieter Otto horn.

I have been unable to find many online reviews of Otto horns. I’m yet another late life returnee to horn playing (haven’t played since 1979) and I would like to start out with a horn that I can keep for years, rather than upgrade models constantly. The Otto appeals to me at this stage but I’m a bit concerned about your experience of finding it difficult to get a good tone. Also, I’m wondering if they are more difficult to get serviced?

Comment on Summer 2011 by Kristine

Kristine — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:11:37 +0000

Tina,

Don’t forget to have some fun on the horn, too…it makes the work worth while! Buy a recording of your favorite piece, turn up the stereo really loudly and play along! Kristine

Comment on Summer 2011 by newhornist

newhornist — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:18:29 +0000

Hi Susan,
Thank you for your comments and for reading my blog! I’m not a doctor but my guess is that your shoulder pain is partially related to the horn playing. You are putting new stress on tendons and ligaments and this type of injury tends to develop slowly over time. My doctor and my horn teacher have told me that strength training will help but you have to do it correctly. You should see your doc for instructions on the proper methods.

As for buying a horn, in my opinion, don’t get one yet unless your shoulder is screaming at you and you have exhausted all other possibilities. I think you are right when you say you don’t feel qualified yet to make the correct horn decision. I just barely feel qualified to buy the ‘right’ one now and if my shoulder wasn’t giving me such grief I definitely would not be buying another horn. If you are enjoying practicing and learning keep using the borrowed horn. One thing I did while practicing when my shoulder was just awful was to rest my left elbow on a tray table and get the best position by adding a book or two. Of course, this is totally impractical outside of your practice room.

Keep playing and keep in touch!
Sincerely,
Tina

Comment on Summer 2011 by Susan Abbott

Susan Abbott — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:19:43 +0000

Interesting about the shoulder pain. I have been having the same trouble and I can’t tell if it’s because of the long layoff (30+ years), or maybe because I’m playing a different horn than I was in my youth. I’m also wondering if weight training (which I did for many years until about two years ago) would be helpful. I can definitely feel the pressure on my shoulder and left arm while I’m playing so maybe strengthening all those upper body muscles will help relieve the pain.

I’d love to buy a horn (I’ve been borrowing one for the year since I started playing again) but I don’t feel that I am yet playing well enough to be able to competently make a decision on which is the “best” for me. Perhaps a lighter or smaller instrument would prove to be the answer, as it seems to have been in your case.

I love reading your blog! Thanks for writing,

Susan

Comment on All My Posts by newhornist

newhornist — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:56:54 +0000

Hi Lyn!

I’ve heard you play – I know you can conquer the Strauss!!!!!

My left shoulder is killing me. I’m glad that yours isn’t bothering you when you play.

Thanks for writing and I hope we can meet up again at the next BSO Academy.

Tina