The ASU Horn Studio

The Kopprasch Zone
Selected ASU horn studio materials and more

Studio News -- Studio Door -- Horn Study FAQ -- Audition -- About Dr. Ericson -- The Kopprasch Zone

West wing, ASU School of MusicGeorg Kopprasch was a relatively minor player and teacher of the early nineteenth century he but did have a vision of the future of horn technique and acted upon it. The resulting etudes are timeless classics that have been passed from teacher to student by generations of hornists, an essential teaching material for horn (and brass) teachers worldwide. Love them or hate them, they are practical and effective etudes; it is in this spirit that these teaching related materials are presented.

Studio materials

Horn Solo Works
My list of the most important and frequently performed solo works and soloistic chamber works in our repertoire, works every advanced horn student should get to know.

Horn Etudes and Methods
A very brief survey--my favorites in the studio.

Orchestral Excerpt Checklist
Specific excerpts frequently requested at auditions which every advanced horn player should know well ["the long version"].

Horn Excerpt Checklist
Used in the horn studio at Arizona State University (PDF file) ["the short version"].

Excerpt Books
Get the parts! But get a couple of the best excerpt books too.

Common French and German Musical Terms
Don't just guess at what important musical terms mean!

Selected Horn Pedagogy Resources
A few of my favorite resources; these should be in the library of all advanced horn students.

Bonus articles

Placing Pitch "in the Pocket"
Notes on pitch placement and more.

How Bells are Cut
"Don't try this at home."

Suggested Horns, Mouthpieces, and Mutes
My favorites within the price range of students and amateurs.

Recent conference presentation handouts

Striving for Tone
Practical methods to improve tone on the horn (PDF file).

Horns for Beginners and Converts
PDF file, a summary of the various options.

Introducing the Horn MUSIC EDUCATORS: Be sure to check out

Introducing the Horn: Essentials for New Hornists and Their Teachers.

Covers in one volume the range of performance-related topics that are the most essential in giving a new hornist a good start. The ideal resource book for beginners, those converting to the horn, and music educators. 22 pages.

Available from Horn Notes Edition

Horn Matters has many items of interest to teachers, students, and performers of the horn. Check the categories list, including especially the categories "Beginners and the Horn," "Horn Teaching," "Horn Study," and "Horn Playing." Or do a search for any topic of interest using the search box in the footer of the blog.

For more information on topics for beginners also please visit my brief online resource, Getting Started on the Horn.

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Contact Dr. Ericson at: 
 School of Music, Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
Phone: (480) 965-4152
Dept. Fax: (480) 965-2659.
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