The MelloCast (podcasts)
A Meeting Place for Mellophonists and Middle Brass Players Everywhere.

Episode 126 - Live from IHS 2011

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_126_09-04-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 125 - Summer Camps

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_125_08-21-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 124 - First Horns

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_124_05-01-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 123 - Cool Cases

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_123_04-17-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 122 - Gordon Higginbottom

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_122_02-27-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 120 - How Much Should We Practice?

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_120_01-23-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:38am EDT

Episode 119 - Top 5 for 2010

Episode 119 - Top 5 for 2010

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_119_01-02-2011.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 118 - Oil!

Episode 118 - Oil!

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_118_09-26-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 117 - Back to School

Episode 117 - Back to School

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_117_09-12-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 116 - French Horns on YouTube

Episode 116 - French Horns on YouTube

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_116_08-15-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 115 - 2010 IHS Symposium

Episode 115 - 2010 IHS Symposium Recap

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_115_08-01-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 114 - Patterson Shoot-Out

Episode 114 - Patterson Shoot-Out

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_114_07-11-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 113 - French Horn Nation 2010 LIVE!

Episode 113 - French Horn Nation 2010 LIVE!

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_113_06-27-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 112 - Advocate for the Alto Horn

Episode 112 - Advocate for the Alto Horn

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_112_06-13-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:20am EDT

Episode 111 - Double Descants

Episode 111 - Double Descants

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_111_05-30-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 110 - The Ascending Horn

Episode 110 - Sandra Clark and the Ascending Horn

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_110_05-02-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 109 - High Notes

Episode 109 - High Notes

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_109_04-11-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 108 - Mouthpiece Recommendations

Episode 108 - Mouthpiece Recommendations

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_108_04-04-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 107 - Beyond Farkas

Episode 107 - Beyond Farkas

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_107_03-21-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 106 - Embouchure Strengthening Tools

Episode 106 - Embouchure Strengthening Tools

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_106_03-07-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 105 - Vienna Horns

Episode 105 - Vienna Horns

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_105_02-21-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 104 - James Peterson

Episode 104 - Film Composer James Peterson

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_104_02-07-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 103 - N.A.M.M. 2010 Episode 103 - N.A.M.M. 2010
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_103_01-24-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 102 - Mike McCool Episode 102 - Mike McCool
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_102_01-10-2010.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 101 - Top 5 for 2009 Episode 101 - Top 5 for 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_101_12-27-2009a.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 100 - Secrets Episode 100 - Secrets
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_100_12-20-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 99 - Coping with the Tenor Horn as a French Hornist Episode 99 - Coping with the Tenor Horn as a French Hornist
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_99_11-08-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:57am EDT

Episode 98 - Horn Hacks Episode 98 - Horn Hacks
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_98_10-18-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:48am EDT

Episode 97 - Listener Questions 5 Episode 97 - Listener Questions 5
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_97_10-11-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 96 - Patterson Leadpipe

Episode 96 - Patterson Hornworks Mellophone Leadpipe

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_96_10-04-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 95 - Humboldt Brass Workshop Episode 95 - Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_95_9-20-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:38am EDT

Episode 94 - The Mouthpiece Wheel of Doom Episode 94 - The Mouthpiece Wheel of Doom
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_94_9-13-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 93 - Single Horns Episode 93 - Single Horns
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_93_9-06-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 92 - Horn Matters Website Episode 92 - Horn Matters Website
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_92_8-30-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 91 - Marching With French Horns Episode 91 - Marching With French Horns
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_91_8-09-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 90 - DCI 2009 with Kevin Gamin Episode 90 - DCI 2009 with Kevin Gamin from Drum Corps Planet
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_90_8-02-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 89 - French Horn Nation 2009 Episode 89 - Mark Taylor and French Horn Nation, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_89_7-26-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 88 - 2009 IHS Symposium Episode 88 - 2009 International Horn Society Symposium Recap
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_88_7-19-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 87 - Tenor Horns on YouTube Episode 87 - Tenor Horns on YouTube
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_87_5-10-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:54am EDT

Episode 86 - Listener Questions 4 Episode 86 - Listener Questions 4
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_86_5-03-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:30pm EDT

Episode 85 - Gino Cipriani Episode 85 - Interview with Gino Cipriani
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_85_4-26-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT

Episode 84 - A Complete Guide to Brass ... Almost Episode 84 - A Complete Guide to Brass ... Almost
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_84_4-19-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 83 - Mellos on YouTube 3 Episode 83 - Mellophones on YouTube 3
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_83_4-12-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:37am EDT

Episode 82 - ID'ing Old Horns Episode 82 - Identifying Old Horns with Kenton Scott
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_82_4-05-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 81.5 - News for April 1, 2009

Episode 81.5 - News for April 1, 2009

Direct download: MelloCast_April-Fools-2009.MP3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 81 - History Revisited Episode 81 - Mellophone History Revisited with Kenton Scott
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_81_3-29-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 80 - Quick Horn Changes Episode 80 - Quick Horn and Mouthpiece Changes
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_80_3-22-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 79 - Limited Practice Time Episode 79 - Limited Practice Time
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_79_3-15-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 78 - Interview with John Meehan Episode 78 - Interview with John Meehan, Brass Caption Head for the Concord Blue Devils
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_78_3-08-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 77 - History of the Mellophone Episode 77 - The History of the Mellophone with Greg Monks
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_77_3-01-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 76 - Getting It Back Episode 76 - Getting It Back - week of February 22, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_76_2-22-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 75 - N.A.M.M. Episode 75 - Chris goes to N.A.M.M. - week of February 15, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_75_2-15-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 74 - Must-Have CD's Episode 74 - Must-Have CD's - week of January 25, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_74_1-25-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:18pm EDT

Episode 73 - Nirschl and Monette Episode 73 - Nirschl and Monette - week of January 18, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_73_1-18-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 72 - Pimp My Horn Episode 72 - Pimp My Horn - week of January 11, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_72_1-11-2009.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:35am EDT

Episode 71 - Top 5 for 2008 Episode 71 - Top 5 for 2008 - week of December 28, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_71_12-28-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 70 - Fingerings Episode 70 - Fingering Your Instrument - week of December 21, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_70_12-21-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 69 - Christmas Clips Episode 69 - 4 Christmas Listening Assignments - week of December 14, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_69_12-14-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:10am EDT

Episode 68 - Gifts '08 Episode 68 - Gifts for the Discriminating Mellophonist '08 - week of December 7, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_68_12-07-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 67 - What We're Playing Now Episode 67 - What We're Playing Now - week of November 30, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_67_11-30-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 66 - St. Paul's Brass Quintet Episode 66 - Interview with Rich Sterner from St. Paul's Brass Quintet - week of November 23, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_66_11-23-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:43am EDT

Episode 65 - Chris's Tenor Horn Adventure Episode 65 - Chris Nalls's Adventures with the Tenor Horn - week of November 16, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_65_11-16-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 64 - Bonnie Ott Thompson Episode 64 - Interview with Mellophone Legend Bonnie Ott Thompson - week of November 9, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_64_11-09-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 63 - Improv for Dummies Episode 63 - Mark Taylor discusses Improv for Dummies; improvisation basics for the non-jazz player - week of November 2, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_63_11-02-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 62 - All-American College Band Episode 62 - Jennifer Bliman, Mellophonist with the 2008 All-American College Band at Disneyland - week of October 26, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_62_10-26-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 61 - Mellos on Facebook Episode 61 - Mellophones on Facebook - week of October 5, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_61_10-05-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 60 - See the Girls Dance Episode 60 - Mark Taylor's new ensemble, "See the Girls Dance" - week of September 28, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_60_9-28-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:34am EDT

Episode 59 - Marching French Horns

Episode 59 - Marching F French Horns - week of September 21, 2008

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.
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_59_9-21-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 58 - Piston/Rotor Horns Episode 58 - Piston/Rotor Horns - week of September 14, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_58_9-14-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:25am EDT

Episode 57 - Bb Marching Horns Episode 57 - Bb Marching Horns - week of September 7, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_57_9-07-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 56 - Getting Back In Shape

Episode 56 - Getting Back in Shape - week of August 31, 2008.

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.

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_56_8-31-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 55 - Vibrato Episode 55 - Vibrato - week of August 17, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_55_8-17-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 54 - Listener Questions 3

Episode 54 - Listener Question 3 - week of August 10, 2008

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_54_8-10-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 53 - Blazing Technique Episode 53 - Power Playing, Part 4: Blazing Technique - week of July 13, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_53_7-13-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 52 - Range Episode 52 - Power Playing Part 3: Range - week of July 6, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_52_7-06-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 51 - Tonguing and Articulation Episode 51 - Power Playing Part 2: Tonguing and Articulation - week of June 29, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_51_6-29-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Episode 50 - Flexibility Episode 50 - Power Playing Part 1: Flexibility - week of June 22, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_50_6-22-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:51am EDT

Episode 49 - Drum Corps Minis Episode 49 - Forrest Christenot, owner of Drum Corps Miniatures - week of June 1, 2009
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_49_6-01-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:50am EDT

Episode 48 - Holly Marino Episode 48 - Holly Marino, Director of Fusion Core - week of May 25, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_48_5-25-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:49am EDT

Episode 47 - Chris Nalls

Episode 47 - Chris Nalls: A Lifetime of Teaching Mellophone - week of March 18, 2008

Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_47_5-18-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:37am EDT

Episode 46 - The Brass Gym Episode 46 - The Brass Gym - week of May 11, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_46_5-11-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:31am EDT

Episode 45 - Carmel Kenton Project Episode 45 - Mike Pote and the Carmel Kenton Project - week of May 5, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_45_5-04-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:04am EDT

Episode 44 - First Year Anniversary Episode 44 - First Year Anniversary - week of April 13, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_44_4-13-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:24am EDT

Episode 43 - 3 Listening Assignments Episode 42 - 3 Listening Assignments - week of March 30, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_43_3-30-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:16am EDT

Episode 42 - Music Librarian Karen Smith Episode 42 - Interview with Film Music Librarian, Karen M. Smith - week of March 23, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_42_3-23-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:29am EDT

Episode 41 - Kevin Gamin Episode 41 - Interview with Kevin Gamin - week of March 16, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_41_3-16-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:18am EDT

Episode 40 - Intonation Episode 40 - Intonation - week of March 9, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_40_3-09-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:11am EDT

Episode 39 - Jupiter Quantum 5050 Episode 39 - Scooter Scoops the Jupiter Quantum 5050 - week of February 24, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_39_2-24-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:37am EDT

Episode 38 - Churches and Pits Episode 38 - Churches and Pits - week of February 17, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_38_2-17-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:16am EDT

Episode 37 - Karl Hammond Episode 37 - Interview with Karl Hammond - week of February 10, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_37_2-10-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:17am EDT

Episode 36 - Griffin Gunter Episode 36 - Griffin Gunter from the 2007 Cadets - week of February 3, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_36_2-03-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:33am EDT

Episode 35 - A Mello Catechism Episode 35 - A Mello Catechism - week of January 27, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_35_1-27-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:52am EDT

Episode 34 - Mellos on YouTube 2 Episode 34 - Mellos on YouTube 2 - week of January 20, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_34_1-20-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:03am EDT

Episode 33 - Listener Questions 2 Episode 33 - Listener Questions 2 (or "Can Al Read?") - week of January 13, 2008
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_33_1-13-2008.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:29am EDT

Episode 32 - Top 5 for 2007 Episode 32 - Top 5 Events and Advancements for the Mellophone in 2007 - week of December 30, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_32_12-30-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:15am EDT

Episode 31 - Corps Auditions Episode 31 - Corps Auditions - week of December 23, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_31_12-23-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:54am EDT

Episode 30 - Gifts for the Discriminating Mellophonist Episode 30 - Gifts for the Discriminating Mellophonist - week of December 9, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_30_12-09-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:08am EDT

Episode 29 - Kelly Smith, the Reluctant Mellophonist Episode 29 - Kelly Smith, the Reluctant Mellophonist - week of December 2, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_29_12-02-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:30am EDT

Episode 28 - Doug Lantz "From the 50 Yard Line" Episode 28 - Doug Lantz, Director of "From the 50 Yard Line" - week of November 25, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_28_11-25-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:03pm EDT

Episode 27 - Coping with the Mellophone as a Trumpet Player Episode 27 - Coping with the Mellophone as a Trumpet Player - week of November 18, 2007
Direct download: MelloCast_Episode_27_11-18-2007.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 9:01am EDT