Rocketman Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 Well, I have to admit that, in my opinion, a good french horn player is worth any three mellophone players (this coming from a former mellophone player). That being said, from a tone stand point, I prefer the mellophone. To me the french horn sound is a bit nasal and with the fast pace of visual programs today, I would find it almost impossible to play one. Mellophones can wail like nobodys business, but they can also overpower the rest of the brass line if not careful. When I auditioned for Regiment my first year Jim Wren asked me what I played and I told him "mellophone," he looked right at me and said, "not any more." Fact is, of the 63 horns we marched that year, 2 were mellophones. His disdain for mellophones continued the remainder of my career as the following season there were none. To make matters worse, in 78 & 79, we marched what I consider to be the worst horn ever made, alto's. Thank God I didn't have to play one. Enough ranting. What's your position. Rocketman ampssuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schleic8 Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 Mellos all the way... French Horns are just raunchy sounding unless played perfectly. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertoo Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 (edited) . Edited July 12, 2006 by mistertoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bd5times Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I like the french horn sound in a corps horn line. Although, as was previously mentioned, they sound good running around. Blue Devils did not marched mellophones from 81-85 (flugles and french horns). There was a brief moment in 84 where the lead flugles were on mellophones, but apparently that wasn't the sound Wayne and Jack were looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orpheus Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I wonder what ever happened to those "alto horns" like the Crossmen used to play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeW Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 i'm assuming you mean marching french horn...if so please explain how much of a difference it it and p.s. moving to brasss forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
festive Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I loved PR's sound with french horns in the line. the mellos were rippin', no question, but the frenchies provided that "backbone" to the corps sound. I miss that sound. Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mir Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 MELLOS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDitt57 Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 My five years with madison, 73-77, we marched no mellos, and large french horn sections. Our arranger, Ray Baumgart, was a firm believer in the unique texture it added to the "Madison sound" of that era. I agree that in today's "on the run" drills, large french horn sections are not feasable for Junior Corps. Seniors and Alumni corps have a place for them; Renegades are the good example.......... we marched 4 mellos and 8 frenchies my last year '78. I am sure someone will want to KILL me for this but let me say, I played french horn for all my juniors and in Kilties senior. The last two years, I played mello. I don't think the frenchie has a place in today's drum corps. There aren't enuf people who know how to play it, number one, and the drills they do know would freaking kill you trying to play on that little mp. JMHO. (french horn player since age 8 and for life but not on a football field anymore, sorry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopmello Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I would choose horn for myself, others probably will be different. I for some reason or the other, have trouble with the mello mouthpiece and the mello itself, but Mellophones are the better instrument on the drum corps field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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