Category: Horn
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Digital Music Readers (August 2025 Update)
It’s been few years since I last wrote up my thoughts about the best tablet device if you’re interested in moving away from paper music, so I thought I would update my recommendations for digital music tablets. Important Features to Consider Reading sheet music on a tablet is a relatively small niche for tablets, so…
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Adventures in Mouthpiece Matching
An insightful interview between Mars Gelfo and Alex Strachan about what goes into designing and making French horn mouthpieces.
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Spotify Stinks for Classical Music
Spotify may have popularized streaming music, but really doesn’t seem to work well for the entire genre of classical music.
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Horn ‘Guru’ Leaves a Legacy of Harassment
The Barbed Wire, in collaboration with The Rice Thresher, posted an article earlier this month about the decades-long abuse suffered by female musicians at the hands of William “Bill” Vermeulen, the horn professor at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music since 1990. VerMeulen apparently had a history of sexual harrasement allegations dating back to the…
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Finale’s Unforseen Farewell
With Finale’s sudden and disruptive departure, there’s a big hole left in the music notation software sector. However, there are lessons to be learned for the next surprise shutdown.
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![A[n Updated] Guide to Horn Oils and Greases](https://colindorman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/oil-lube-guide.jpg)
A[n Updated] Guide to Horn Oils and Greases
When it comes to brass lubricants, there are a lot of options. This PDF by Hetman is a great resource to find the right lubricant for any horn!
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Improving Endurance on the French Horn
For brass instrument players, endurance can be a challenging skill to develop. Here are my thoughts on what real endurance requires.
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Why Substituting Intensity for Consistency Leads to Audition Disappointment – and How to Fix It.
Trying to substitute intensity for consistency in any musical practice is a recipe for disappointment. Here’s a better way.
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All-District/All-State Audition Preparation
A few thoughts on preparing for All-District and All-State auditions for middle and high school students.
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How 5 Minutes of Practice Can Lead to Real Change
It seems counter-intuitive, but a 5 minute per day practice plan can lead to long-term improvement.