Alto horn

Known in the US as alto horn, in Germany as althorn, and in the UK as tenor horn, this brass instrument pitched in Eb has a conical bore (gradually widening), and normally uses a deep, cornet-like mouthpiece. It is most commonly used in marching bands, brass bands and similar ensembles, whereas the French horn tends to take the corresponding parts in symphonic groupings and classical brass ensembles. In the US and Germany the name tenor horn is identical with baritone horn.

Description

The alto horn has a conical bore like the orchestral (french) horn and uses deep funnel or cup shaped mouthpieces depending on the model. It is used in British Brass bands and is very rarely included in the orchestra where its place is taken by the orchestral horn. The conical bore and deep mouthpiece produces a mellow, rounded tone which is most often used as a middle voice, supporting the melodies by the trumpets, cornets or flugelhorns, and fills in the gap above the lower tenor and bass intruments (the trombone, baritone horn, euphonium and Tuba). Solos for the alto horn are very occasional, and are usually taken by the solo horns. Most alto horns are pitched in Eb and are transposing instruments. Their typical range is from the A below middle C to the Eb above the C above middle C.The standard bell-up horn comes in two basic shapes. One with the beginning of the bell looping over the top of the valves and the other looping below the valves.

Related Topics:
Trumpet - Cornet - Flugelhorn - Trombone - Baritone horn - Euphonium - Tuba

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