Advanced Method for Horn – English Version

This horn Method is a synthesis of the instruction I received in France for fifteen years, mainly from three prominent teachers. These masters, despite very different backgrounds, have in common a passionate commitment to teaching at a high level. The quality of the artists they have taught demonstrates this beautifully.

My deep thanks go to:

Pierre LEVET, professor and solo horn in Tours, who for 30 years played in various ensembles (wind quintet, chamber orchestra, symphonic and opera orchestras) and who has written several volumes including « Everyday Techniques for the Horn » and « Orchestral Excerpts ».

Georges BARBOTEU, our national horn hero, professor at the Conservatoire de Paris. A true pioneer, his career includes notable solo and chamber music performances, immortalized on recordings. He was also an orchestral musician, composer, and conductor, with many published works.

André CAZALET, solo horn of the Orchestre de Paris and professor at the Conservatoire de Paris, has done extensive research on the instrument and is an expert on the music of our time (Ensemble Intercontemporain with Pierre Boulez). He has also taught at a number of other institutions, broadening and deepening his pedagogical expertise.

All of this excellent advice received from these teachers, in addition to 30 years’ teaching experience of my own in 22 different countries, has made me conscious of the necessity to share my discovery of these new exercises. I decided to publish a working method that I intend to be innovative yet also respectful of tradition, most notably Philip Farkas’ inspiring publication, The Art of French Horn Playing.

Nowadays, the level of playing required in our profession is extremely high, necessitating an impeccable technique on a wide range. It is not uncommon to have a 90-minute Mahler symphony with 100 musicians, an Edgar Varèse work needing medium low-range fortissimo playing, and the Ligeti horn trio with its huge range and extremely delicate dynamics, all in the same week. For a long time, students were advised to specialize either in low or high horn, believing this would transform modest abilities into assets. This may have worked in the past, but it is a poor choice today, based on the requirements of making a living in today’s evolving music industry. Over the last 15 years, the number of candidates for open positions has increased greatly. Add to this the fact that the offers of work have tended to decrease, and you can see that now, more than ever, the path to a successful professional career is a rocky one.

I have carried the idea of publishing this book for many years. It hope it will help other performers to know themselves better and to find keys to understanding the routine and skills they need to succeed in various situations (competitions, recordings, teaching…) I am well aware that my credibility as an author has a direct

ADVANCED METHOD FOR HORN Hervé JOULAIN PHOENIX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

relationship to my credibility as an instrumentalist. It is my wish that this method finds its way into the lineage of pedagogical works offering a combination of knowledge and experience.