Wow! I'm glad to see this forum is still active. I haven't check in for a l-o-n-g time and last time I did, there wasn't much activity.

I don't know if any of you remember me, but I just came back to horn 2 1/2 years ago. I spent my first year building up my embouchure & developing technique. I've gotten really busy w/ this instrument, especially in the last year. I had the privilege of playing in 15 concerts this past season in various ensembles: community symphonic band, three different city orchestras, an opera orchestra, three church orchestras, a WW quintet, horn quartet, horn trio & brass ensemble. I've updated the comments on my profile if anyone cares to take a look. This is SOOOOO fun!

Valerie in Tacoma

I saw on your profile that you majored on horn in college. What type of jobs are there for horn majors?

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I'm sort of leaning towards a music major myself, but I can't really think of anything that I'd do after college.

I've never even tried to make money w/ my horn. Believe it or not, I used to work as a nurse. According to William Ver Meullen, principal of the Houston Symphony and professor of horn at Rice University, there are only about 12 jobs a year in the US for performing horn players that pay a living wage. Most horn performance majors have to teach in order to make a living. So a lot of good American horn players go overseas because there are many more performance jobs there that pay living wages w/ benefits, etc. However, there are many teaching opportunities in the USA for music education majors. So what you do w/ a music degree all depends on what you want to do & how much you're willing to sacrifice to do it. I never was the type want to fiercely compete for an opportunity to play my horn, so I chose to do something else for money & use my love of music avocationally.

Valerie in Tacoma

Valerie,
Hi there! I've never been on this forum before (back in my horn days) but I'm about where you were 2.5 years ago. It's quite exciting to get back behind the horn and start playing again. I've been enjoying realizing what I didn't forget... the little things during band practices and reading music again after the skill has gone dormant is such a delight, don't you agree?

That's great you've gotten so much play time this past season, I hope I can say the same.

-Julie in Bel Air (Maryland, not Cali!)

wow, thatssad news about the 12 paying positions! I was considering bassoon performance, but perhaps I will just do it as a hobby! just imagine how little saxophone paying jobs that there are! w/o orchestral opportunities, it's rather a grim idea! thanks for sharing granny!

Juli, Coming back has been one of the most -- no THE most -- fun adventure(s) I've had. I didn't know how much I missed the band & orchestra scene until I came back. Let me warn you, though, we older players have to take it easy. We can't push ourselves like we did in the past century! I was delighted, though, to find that I hadn't forgotten everything I learned about the horn when I was a kid. Wendell Rider says it's like riding a bicycle; it just comes back.

But, horn playing isn't what it used to be. It's much harder now because newer music demands more of horn players. The parts are more challenging, but the rewards are great. As you saw on my profile, I got help w/ embouchure development from a trumpet teacher (Jeff SMiley, Balanced Embouchure). I also got help from a trumpet teacher for developing fast finger techniques .. H.L. Clark ("Technical Exercises for Trumpet"). It seems like much of the horn method books are kinda "stuck" in the past. However, I really like Wendell Rider's book, "Real World Horn Playing", because it has helped me develop the sound I need. Wendell's book has a warm up that's designed specifically to prevent stiffening of the embouchure. The Farkas warm up I used to do in yester-years, aren't appropriate for me now because they stiffen my embouchure. Wendell knows the importance of a gentle warm up for horn players, especially older ones!

About my playing time: I didn't mention on my profile that I'm a compulsive practicer: normal for me is 3, one hour practice sessions a day which has helped me develop quite rapidly. My first year I hired a private instructor who pushed me quite hard. That's what it takes to compete w/ the other amatuers who have been playing steadily for years. I have time to do that because I'm no longer working. Most amatuers only have about an hour to practice each day, so they will develop more slowly. . . . but they will & do develop over time. I play w/ some amatuers who are good enough to play professionally if there were more local openings available.

About the 12 openings thing: Let me clarify that these 12 openings are for fulltime HORN positions that pay a living wage. There are many other paying jobs for horns, but they don't provide "living wages", benefits, etc. There's still demand for working playing musicians, but most of these musicians must have a "day job" to live on. Also, I was only talking about 12 HORN positions, not bassoon or any other instrument. I'm sure it varies depending on the instrument.

Valerie, Granny in Tacoma

Valerie,
I'm glad it's not just me as far as the bicycle riding familiarity of it all.

Yeah I've been without horn for about 8-9 years and I already feel like I've missed out on some changes in horn playing... I take it your hiatus was longer?

3 hours a day is what I was doing before I stopped and I DEFINITELY hope to be there again. I'm also on the hunt for a teacher in my area and I appreciate your recommendation on the books!

"Also, I was only talking about 12 HORN positions, not bassoon or any other instrument."

I know, I was IMAGINING how little paying sax jobs there are, considering that they have little to no use in the orchestra, lol!

I was off horn for 33 years!

Valerie

=D

It's nice to see that some people who did quit band and orchestra, have come back and regretted quitting. It sort of makes me think if I ever think of quitting, I'd probably pick up my clarinet in a few days and get back playing again xD.

It's also nice to see people of all ages enjoying music =]

Yeah. Getting a paid position for JUST performing is hard. Most people who get music degrees teach.

I'm leaning toward a musical degree. Seems like fun. Making reeds, teaching kids, play gigs.