gohorns Posted September 8, 2004 Share Posted September 8, 2004 My band director had a marching French Horn that he wanted me to try out today. Has anybody played on these things? If so, what do you think? I think it has a darker tone than a mellophone, almost to the extent that it sounds kinda like a baritone. I think it's a very interesting instrument, the only bad thing is its pitched in Bb instead of F. Anyone have any thoughts on these instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerMellophone Posted September 8, 2004 Share Posted September 8, 2004 The only real difference is that the reciever takes a horn mouthpiece and its is in Bb. Basicly, it will sound like a mellophone, but you'll miss more notes because the partials are closer together. I feel sorry for any section that has to play on marching horns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big phan Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 I played Marching French Horns for seven years, and found a couple of things. The notes are sometimes harder to slot because the slots themselves are closer together. However, the Horn itself has a much darker, warmer sound than a mellophone. If you want a more symphonic sound, a more rounded sound, marching horns are the way to go. Also, however, playing at louder dynamics is pretty difficult. A marching horn is harder to get a focused, loud sound out of than a concert horn, and often the louder dynamics will spread and get blatty if you don't pay attention. They are not bad horns, in my opinion. It's just a matter of choosing what style you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorisTS Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 Drum corps used to use marching horns. Was the switch to all mellos due to the problems with cracking notes while marching crazy drill and the volume problems? Also, how high and low can you play on those compared to a mello? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84BDsop Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 Drum corps used to use marching horns. Was the switch to all mellos due to the problems with cracking notes while marching crazy drill and the volume problems? Also, how high and low can you play on those compared to a mello? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Possibly...regardless of the intended use...concert type or marching type...a Frenchie is a VERY difficult instrument to nail. Very finicky on the partials (slots, somewone else called them) Not to say they aren't still out there...Dream had one in the field...and I think Renegades had a whole section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohorns Posted October 28, 2004 Author Share Posted October 28, 2004 When I played on it if i remember right i hit a double G which is the same as high C on a mello. I don't really remember how hard it was and how close the partials were up there but it definately wasn't as bright as the same note on mello. As for low range it beats mello by a bunch and the tone down there is beautiful, sounds almost just like a baritone I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrshowfan Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 (edited) So there are no junior div. corps that march frenchie lines anymore? Also, there seemed to be more of those instruments around the early 80's. If there is anyone from Spirit around from those years, I'm wondering what the hornline used in terms of hardware in the middle voices. Was it an all frenchie line, or split frechie/mello, or split frenchie/mello/flugel? I wonder how Jim Ott scored those middle horns. They were bad a**. Edited October 29, 2004 by mrshowfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84BDsop Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 I think Phantom used to be the last holdout In 84 the BD middles were a split of Frenchies and flugelhorns. I don't rememebr when the Frenchies were gone, but I don't think it was past 86... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiffingChap Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 (edited) I know scv used french horns in 89, thats the last I saw em, and ###### if they wern't loud as anything during several parts in that show. Definatly a classic. Edited October 29, 2004 by SpiffingChap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scerpella Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 Personally I think the FH sound is distinct and much warmer than the Mellophone. Certain arrangers such as Scouts Ray Baumgart knew how to exploit that sound and integrate it perfectly within the low brass. I also believe in general FHs do not stick out of the ensemble like Mellos do. If you have people who can play them, they are well worth having in your ensemble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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