Types Of Horn Instruments

Horn falls under the category of musical instruments made of metal and often curved in diverse ways with a small end into which the instrumentalists or musician blows and a broad end from which the sound comes.

The bore in a horn begins to maximize in width from almost all its length.

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Types Of Horns

  • Dung Chen.
  • French horn.
  • Wagner tuba
  • Valved bugles

Varieties Of Horns

There are two categories of horn instrument, and they include;

The Single Horn

This type of horn has an F horn, b flat horn, and a high F horn that plays one octave above the F horn.

The Double Horn

Varieties Of Horn Instrument.

  • Natural horns.
  • German horns.
  • Vienna horns.
  • Marching horns.
  • Fingerhole horns.
  • Russian horns.
  • French horns.

History Of The Horns Instrument

The horns were originally made use of to blow on the real horns of animals before they began to copy them in metal or any other material.

The olifant was the name used in the middle ages given to the Ivory hunting derived from the Elephant’s tusk. In the eleventh century, they arrived in Europe and were first called in French Literature early in the 12th century.

Making the horns instrument in diverse sizes to be played together in different genres of music came into place in 1826. In the early 17th century, there were two major types of hunting horns.

They came into existence to tackle the havoc of giving a long tube to give in to playing maximum partials while also enabling the instrument to be played on Horseback.

In Germany, Italians usually used the trumpet to know the military trumpet’s coiled horn. Then, in the middle of the seventeenth century, instruments began to be seen in brass tubes wound into one open hoop.

In Germany, they were called Waldhorner. This was because the horns that were supposed to be played on the Horseback at the period of hunt the mouthpiece was not detachable.

Types Of Horn Instruments

Types Of Horn Instruments

They produced a sound that was called the recheat. The alteration of the pitch was affected totally due to the horn not being provided with the valves till the 19thcentury. With the absence of the valves, just the notes that fall in the harmonic series line were put in place.

The only solution they could think of was the division of tubing of different lengths; when put at the middle of the lead pipe and mouthpiece, they maximized the instrument’s length while minimizing its pitch.

At the second quarter of the eighteenth century, the horns were already frequent members of the continental orchestras.

Performing havoc that was brought up as a result of the use of crooks placed at the mouthpiece end of the horn instrument was that the players were pleaded with to grip the horn so that the crooks would be unable to be detached. There are two divisions of the orchestral horn. They are the high horn and the low horn.

The players were based on agreeing on the rare wide range that is needed of the instrument.

In the middle of the 18th century, the horn players started fixing the right hand into the bell to alter the active length of the instrument. Switching the tuning upward to the length in between the two opposite harmonics will be determined by the quantity of the flapped opening.

In 1818, the valves that go-round was introduced in the year 1839 by two individual. The piston valves were used on the horn to eliminate the havoc surrounding the altering crooks during a performance. 

The use of valves made way for a lot of easily amendability in performing in diverse keys. The valve’s actual use as a way to perform in diverse keys in the absence of crooks.

Brass Instrument And Their Difference In Sound

It isn’t true that brass instruments are made of brass in every aspect. Below, we will discuss the common types of brass instruments and their peculiarities. 

The brass instrument often comprises various instruments, including the tuba, trumpet, and trombone.

1. The Trumpet

The trumpet is one of the most recognized instruments of the brass category. It is mostly used in brass bands as well as military parades. 

There are various types of trumpet. The most common type of trumpet is pitched to b flat. The trumpet gives the brass family maximum pitch and a clear and audible sound. The trumpet’s pitch is altered by pressing the three valves down in diverse combinations.

The Trumpet is closely related to the cornet because they almost look alike, and their playing style is almost the same. However, the trumpet gives a more transparent and clear tone.

As a result, it is preferred in the brass category as a soloist. When it comes to audibility in the volume level, it is very much clear, and it is much easier to play than the cornet. Therefore, individuals who play the trumpet are often called trumpet players or trumpeters.

2. Alto/Tenor Horn

The tenor horn is often referred to as the althorn or the alto horn. It is not a brass instrument that is not mostly or occasionally used. Instead, it is frequently used as a perfect backup instrument. It is usually pitched to E flat and used in the brass band.

The mouthpiece and the bell are directed upward, so it is easy to be placed down in a sitting position. In addition, the tenor horn serves as a bridge in the category of brass, thereby enhancing the beauty of the brass.

3. The Trombone

They got the trombone from the Italian word “Tromba,” interpreted as a large trumpet. Therefore, individuals that play trombone are often referred to as trombone players or trombonists.

The trombone is a perfect instrument from the brass family. It is different from all other instruments in the brass family because it uses the slide to alter the pitch instead of the valves. 

It is known to be the easiest instrument of the brass family. The valves control the trombone slides, but the valves do not control the tones.

Also, a good and attentive ear for pitch is one of the most requirements.

4. Cornet

Similar to the trumpet. It is probably called cornet because it is the smallest of the traditional brass instruments. It is one of the most played instruments among brass musicians.

The cornet has a round sound, and it rhymes melodiously into the brass category. However, a little difference is found between the larger b flat cornet and the smaller e flat cornet.

A lot of musicians agree with the fact that it is almost impossible to play the cornet as a result of the V-shaped cup that is located at the mouthpiece of the cornet. As a result, the cornet is mostly pitched to b flat. Also, Soprano is pitched to E flat.

5. Flugelhorn

The flugelhorn is also known as fluegelhorn. The flugelhorn style is no different from the cornet or trumpet. The most obvious distinctiveness between these three brass instruments is their mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece of a flugelhorn comes with a large inner bore that results in maximum air consumption. The fluegelhorn is believed to come from the generation of the valved bugle.

6. Euphonium

The pitch of a euphonium is a pitch lower than the trumpet and a pitch higher than a tuba. This instrument uses a special mouthpiece alongside normally deeper cup sizes. 

The most important distinctiveness to other brass instruments is the euphonium mechanism. Three to four Valves are inserted into the euphonium, thereby giving room for a clear intonation.

Although, this is always dependent on its size. Individuals who play euphonium are often called euphologists, euphophonists, euphonists, or euphists.

7. Sousaphone And Tuba

The sounds that are produced by the tuba are often heavy and thunderous. One of the unique features of the tuba is that they have three to six valves and are especially wide-scale in length. 

There are various designs, like that matching tune that the saxophone possesses and the tuba’s vibrating tunes.

The Tuba is the highest and lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family. As a result of this, it is known to be the grandfather of the brass family. In Tuba, the length of the tubing varies based on the instrument’s pitch. 

The name tuba was derived from tuba’s Latin word, interpreted as “Trumpet”. Therefore, individuals that play tuba are often referred to as bass players, tuba players, or even tubists.

8. The Baritone Horn

The baritone horn is a minimum pitched brass instrument. It is pitched to b flat and is usually found mostly in brass bands. Baritone instruments or horn players are often baritonists or baritone players.

9. French Horn

The French horn is referred to as the horn. The latest design of the French horn has 18ft of tubing that is wrapped using a flared bell. It can give a wide range of sounds from soft to moderate to loud and finally harsh.

Conclusion: Types Of Horn Instruments

The horn instruments are often made up of metal. Having discussed what horn instruments are, they should never be mistaken for brass instruments.

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