Known primarily as the althorn, the alto horn has a number of names and classifications. The althorn is also regularly known as the tenor horn or the althoorn, and it is classified as an aerophone as well as a brass instrument. There are a number of instruments that are related to the althorn, including the French horn, the Euphonium, the coronet and the baritone horn. This instrument is pitched in E flat and has a gradually widening conical bore. It typically uses a mouthpiece that is deep and resembles a coronet mouthpiece.
The althorn is most commonly used in brass bands, marching bands and other similar ensembles, where as the typical horn tends to take on the corresponding parts within symphonic groupings as well as classical brass-based ensembles. In the United States as well as Germany, the tenor horn name is identical to the baritone horn, the tuba and the euphonium. In order to avoid naming confusion, the instrument is also referred to occasionally as the E-flat horn.
The althorn in E-flat possesses a conical bore that is not unlike the orchestral French horn, played in F. This instrument uses deep cup shaped or funnel shaped mouthpieces depending on which model you are playing. This instrument is regularly used in British based brass bands, and it is also occasionally included in orchestras though its place is also regularly taken up by the orchestral horn instead. You will regularly find this alto horn being used in concert bands, as here it has a very similar status as the traditional horn.
The deep mouthpiece, as well as the conical bore is capable of producing a tone that is mellow and rounded, and therefore it is most often used to serve as a middle voice capable of supporting the trumpets, flugelhorns and cornets and the melodies that they produce. This instrument fills in the gap that is above the lower bass and tenor instruments such as the tuba, the baritone horn, the trombone and the tuba. There are only very occasional solo parts intended for the althorn, and they are usually taken instead by solo horns. Most althorns or alto horns are pitched in E-flat, and they are transposing instruments.
The typical range for this instrument is from the A one octave and a minor third just below the middle C up to the E-flat which is an octave along with a minor third above the middle A, which is A2 to E-flat5. The standard bell up style of horns comes in two different basic but distinctive shapes, one of which begins with the bell that loops up over the top of the valves, and the other which involves the bell looping down below the valves.
Although there is some naming confusion about this particular instrument, what always remains true is that this is an intriguing instrument with a popular sound that finds its way into many brass bands and orchestral arrangements.
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Originally posted 2009-08-11 03:58:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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