Points to Ponder before Buying a New Horn

Paraphrased from the article “Selecting a New Horn” by Richard Chenoweth

Published in the Feb 1997 Horn Call

The decision to buy a horn should be governed by a well-considered mixture of practicality, passion and research.

Why Buy a New Horn?

• Are you replacing an old, worn out horn or is this your first horn? If replacing an older instrument, have you considered repairs or modifications that might help the instrument play better? Sometimes repairs such as replated valves, a screw ring or new leadpipe, can make a big difference in how the instrument plays. It will also help in resale value if you decide to trade it or sell it to help purchase a new instrument.
• Are you wanting to emulate a certain player or style of playing? Is this tonal preference applicable to your area or where you wish to play?
• Are you ready to move up to a higher quality instrument? Are you playing on a student model that might be holding you back?
• Are you an experience player looking for a more efficient instrument, one that has better intonation, a sound quality to match your section or better tonal concept to match the ensemble?

BEWARE – there is no perfect horn. The horn is a complicated machine through which we give voice to our creativity and musicality.

New or Used Horn?

• Never rule out buying a horn just because it is used – some may need repair, some may be in excellent playing condition, but some may not be in good playing condition at all.
• Evaluate used horns as rigorously as you would a new instrument.
• Buying a new horn gives the player a chance to break the horn in, in his or her own manner. The tone and response of a brand new horn may change as it is played.
• A new horn is an excellent motivational tool for young players.

Where Do I Buy a New Horn? (New refers to new or used)

• Not long ago, players were limited to what was available in the area either through the local music store or other musicians. With the increase in technology, you can buy a horn from anywhere in the world.
• Classified Ads – check the International Musician- the union newspaper for musicians. Check your local newspaper or “Thrifty Nickels” – you never know what you may find.
• Teachers – ask your private teacher to recommend a horn or location to beginning looking from. Your teacher can help you evaluate different horns, and may have a relationship with the local music store that can be helpful to you.
• Local Professional Players – ask local professional players if they know of anyone who is selling their horn, but ask why the horn is being sold.
• Attend a music conference or convention because many instrument companies have displays at these events. This provides a fantastic opportunity to try out various makes and models of horns.
• Attend a horn workshop which is an ideal place to learn about horns. Many of the significant manufacturers will have displays, literature and free advice. Remain objective, and if you find a horn you really like, see if you can take it someplace to try it out away from all the crowds.
• Mail Order – you can try out horns from various businesses but will have to pay the shipping costs.
• Custom made horns – order a horn from one of the excellent horn craftsmen who make their living building horns by hand. Be prepared for the increased cost in these horns compared to other horns and the significant wait time.
• Internet – The Internet is an amazing tool, but beware…know what you are looking for in your new potential horn. You need to be somewhat brand savvy or know how different horns play before you start looking around on the Internet. Stay away from no-name brands that are often sold on E-Bay. Hornplayer.net has an excellent classified ads section. The IHS website, www.hornsociety.org, also has a classified ads listing.

Wherever you buy a horn, make sure that you are satisfied that you have taken proper time in your considerations, have received good input and that you are happy with your selection.

Important Playing Qualities in a New Horn

In order to assess the playing qualities of the horn, you will first need to decide how the horn will be used.

• What kind of sound do you want?
• Do you want a horn that is essentially a solo instrument?
• What type of ensemble will you play the instrument in (chamber, orchestral, band)?
• Where you play the most, are the acoustics sterile/dry or live/boomy?
• Price – you can often negotiate the price whether you buy the horn from a music store or from someone off of the internet.
• Type of Alloy (metal) – do you want a very durable horn made of nickel silver, or does raw brass appeal to you? Lacquer or unlacquered?

The primary playing characteristic you should assess should be the sound of the horn.

• Does the horn produce the tone quality you want?
• Can you produce a wide variety of tonal colors?
• Can you produce shadings and nuance?
• Is the sound consistent throughout the whole register of the horn?
• How is the intonation?
• How does the horn function in loud and soft dynamics?
• Does the horn respond immediately when you blow or does it have a slow response time?
• Does the sound become edgy and spread at loud dynamics or does the sound become bigger without changing timbre?
• How does the horn respond in slurred passages? Does it have precise notches or grooves for pitches or does it have a wider space in regard to pitch center?
• Do the valves move cleanly and smoothly when changing pitches?

Other Factors

• Examine the horn visually – look for dents or scratches.
• Check the shape of the bell throat making sure it is round not oval. Check all the braces.
• New valves are usually sluggish, and require lots of oiling to break them in. Check the valves by pulling out the valve slide without depressing the valve. Replace the valve slide, and then depress the key. If you hear a “popping” sound, it is a good indicator of how tight the valves are. If there is no “popping” sound, the horn may need a valve job.
• Waterkeys – they are fairly standard on new instruments, but not always. Waterkeys save wear and tear on slides. You could negotiate this into the deal if the horn is lacking waterkeys.
• Detachable bells – does the bell screw on correctly? Do you like the convenience of a detachable bell for carrying the horn? There are disadvantages to detachable bells – you must carefully screw on the bell to insure not stripping the threads. There are no industry standards on screw rings and threads. Therefore, you can’t always take another screw bell and place it on your horn.
• Is this horn really worth the amount of money it is selling for?

Evaluating a New Horn

• Play various musical excerpts, scales, and etudes on the horn to assess its tone quality.
• Use a tuner to check intonation especially on those usual “problem” notes.
• Play loud. What happens to the sound? Can you fill the hall or do you run out of air? Play soft. What happens to the sound? Do you have to work really hard or is it easy? Play hard passages. Is it easier on this new horn?
• Get a second opinion. Ask others to listen to you playing the old horn versus the new horn. Record yourself, and see what you think. Ask your conductor and/or teacher to evaluate the new horn.
• Test the horn in your regular rehearsal hall and with your regular ensemble. You need to evaluate the horn in the situation that you will be playing it in.
• Take your time…you are about to make a new investment so it is prudent to examine the horn in a variety of contexts.
• Limit your try-out of horns to only one or two horns at a time. Standardize your try-out by playing the same excerpts on all of the horns so that you have a standardize tool to help you make a good decision.

Final Thoughts

• There are many choices of horns on the market, making it a buyers market.
• Do your homework: read literature, check out websites, listen to different players, and make a broad, unrestricted decision about the type and model of horn you want. Develop an objective and rigorous method for trying out the new horn. Most important, do not make radical changes in your own playing, like switching mouthpieces, when trying out new horns.
• Develop a discriminating ear by listening to recordings, live concerts and other players. Ask others about their instruments and what criteria they used in selecting their instrument. Ask about durability and dependability, availability of repair parts, etc..
• There are many brands of horns because there is not one single type of horn that is perfect for everyone. We are lucky to have so many makes and models available to us.
• Search for a horn that best matches your playing requirements, style and personality.
• The key to a positive buying experience is taking your time and being organized. Use enthusiastic patience, research, and a passion for finding a horn that fits you, and you are sure to find a horn that will last a long time while fulfilling your musical ideals.