Foregoing catalog descriptions, there are technically Bb and F Marching French Horns.  This is about F Marching French Horns.

• F Marching French Horns have a French Horn mouthpiece and receiver.
• The instrument does have its roots in Drum Corps.
• The instrument is basically either a bellfront Descant horn, or a Mellophone with a French Horn receiver and mouthpiece with a slightly different taper off the leadpipe.  It has a Mellophone-sized bell.
• Kanstul still makes these.  Blessing made them, too.
• These are good alternatives for French Horn players.
• There's really no reason why one can't march with a French Horn mouthpiece.
• Sound-wise, they don't cut as much as a Mellophone, but the tone is decent with good intonation.  Chris says it has a "naked" French Horn quality.
• Possibly the reason they are not popular as it's more difficult for Trumpet players to move to them.  John likes the idea of new players using the horn mouthpiece as it will be easier to convert them.
• Chris feels it's the "perfect" instrument for marching.  The Bb Marching Horn tends to crack more.

• Listening Assignment:  "The Piper o' Dundee" by Kenneth Downie, performed by the Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band.
  • Soloist is Sheona White.
  • The recording appears on the CD's The Voice of the Tenor Horn and Windows of the World.
  • It's harder than it sounds, and it's a real crowd-pleaser.  It's fast and loud!

So, you've taken some time off during the summer, but now band has started and you need to get in shape fast.  Al and John discuss some tips to help get your chops back in a week.