by Marty Schlenker
Dear Fellow Amateurs,
Last month, I shared some of the results of a longer stretch of daily practice than my business travel had been allowing. I was able to make some progress reshaping my oral cavity, with positive effects to tone and flexibility. I have a much longer journey ahead to strengthen my embouchure after many years of substituting large muscles for small muscles, basically squashing my lips onto the mouthpiece to achieve a narrow aperture.
This month, I’d like to stay with the subject of horn playing as physical activity. We all know and appreciate that horn playing is physical. We’ve concluded marathon rehearsals with sore ribs, swollen embouchures, and, ideally, a sense of relief, appreciation for the music we helped make, and the satisfaction that comes from having accomplished something.
And yet, as I’ve resumed lessons and paid new attention to playing tips I discover on the internet and elsewhere, the subject of efficiency has come up more and more often. We pursue efficiency not to expend less effort, but to maximally realize the effort we expend as musical effect.
After 16 months of living in central Pennsylvania, I finally caught the Harrisburg Symphony, attending two premier performances of the oratorio Saul by Jonathan Leshnoff. The symphony was joined by the Susquehanna Chorale and the Messiah University Concert Choir.
It was a big work, with fine horn writing and equally fine execution by the Harrisburg section. With choirs, the typical complement of orchestral winds, and a very large string section, the horns had a challenge to be present but not strident, or at least only strident when called for. They worked hard, and the performance worked musically.
What I took home from this is a reminder that, in seeking to become a more efficient player, I should not let down my effort on breathing. Early in my latest lessons, I’d received feedback that I was overplaying. Between that, and concentrating hard on the tonguing, oral cavity, and embouchure changes also underway, breathing had taken a back seat. This wasn’t deliberate, but my visit to Harrisburg made me think, “Am I doing what they’re doing?” In the breathing department, the answer was no. So, I picked up my effort, and it seems to be helping. In many contexts, we hear “work smarter, not harder.” In my playing, “work smarter, but work nonetheless” seems to fit.
Coincidentally, the May 2024 edition of Marilyn B. Kloss’ Cornucopia newsletter has an interesting piece by Dylan Skye Hart on breathing physiology, Breathing with the Whole Body. It’s a quick read and includes additional resources.
I’ll close by asking you all once again to get in touch and share your own journeys as amateur hornists. You know things that can help others. Share your gifts. marty.schlenker@cavaliers.org.
Your servant and kindred spirit,
Marty Schlenker, Amateur Hornist
