Grace Notes

About the natural Horn

TODD WILLIAMS

The Natural horn is a broad term referring to a brass instrument made of sheet metal that’s been annealed, hammered, and curved into the shape we recognize today.

The term ‘natural’ refers to the fact that there’s nothing added to the instrument in order to alter the pitch. The instrument is therefore limited to the notes of the “naturally” existing harmonic series. In short, there are no valves. The player must use a combination of air speed and muscle tension to create a sound.

To be more specific: a horn during the Baroque period is considered a Baroque horn; a horn during the Classical period is considered a Classical horn. Each is an example of a Natural horn, however they look different and are played differently.

A Baroque horn is played with the bell up in the air. It was up to the players to bend the non-harmonic tones as best they could in order to achieve the desired pitch.

A Classical horn is played with the bell pointed down to the ground, with one hand inserted into the bell in order to achieve more notes.

How did the natural horn evolve, and how was it commonly used? 

In its most primitive state, the ‘horn’ stemmed from animal horns. Boring out the center gave way to a conical device that was used as a means of communication. It wasn’t considered a musical instrument at all. It was a tool.

This tool was integral to the art of the hunt. As the hunt became more popular among royalty, the horn became more entrenched into the culture of the hunt. This association would only grow stronger. Because of this, horns were often depicted in hunting scenes in opera and later in symphonic forms. Over time, this ‘tool’ would eventually be seen as a musical instrument.