The ASU Horn Studio

The Kopprasch Zone
Selected ASU horn studio materials and much more--practical resources for horn players and teachers

Horn Articles Online -- John Ericson -- ASU Horn Studio -- Kopprasch Zone

And also check out Horn Matters!

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 or serious enthusiast should get to know.

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

Horn Study Lists
This PDF document contains suggested works for basic and intermediate college level horn study and is based on a survey of audition lists for undergraduate and graduate horn study at top level music schools. The goals of this list and the following list are to develop horn performance skills in a logical manner and to become very familiar with our best literature.

Horn Excerpt Checklist
This PDF document follows the above and is a longer list of orchestral excerpts based on a survey of ICSOM orchestra audition lists. It is designed for advanced and ultimate level college horn study. The serious performance student should know everything on the left side of this list very well, and really all of them should at the least be required listening for any horn enthusiast.

Technique Exercises--NEW
New PDF file for 2012, primarily based on materials originally published in Playing High Horn. Download and use to build your technique!

Excerpt Books
Get the parts! But get a couple of the best excerpt books too, they are a great way to get started in excerpt study.

Common French and German Musical Terms
Don't just guess at what important musical terms mean! This list focuses on the terms seen most commonly in solo literature but with good coverage of terms seen frequently in orchestral playing. Print a copy and keep it in your music folder!

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

Bonus articles

Placing Pitch "in the Pocket"
Working on tone and intonation? Read these notes on pitch placement and much more. Published in The Horn Call.

Use of the Assistant First Horn
Not there to play the boring stuff! With notes on assisting in a band setting as well. Published in The Horn Call, UPDATED 2012

Auditions 101--NEW
Notes on auditions and preparation for professional auditions.

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; one of the most popular articles in Horn Articles Online.

Understanding Stopped and Muted Horn and Right Hand Position
Answers to the mystery and magic of stopped horn and much more.

Other handouts and materials

Ten Etudes by Duvernoy, Meifred, and Schantl --NEW
New PDF file for 2012, drawn from materials published in three of my recent books. A brief resource for use in lessons, practice, or sight reading.

Striving for Tone
A conference handout of 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 website.

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

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ASU Horn Studio

Arizona State University School of Music

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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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