[Trombone-l] quasi horn

[Ray Horton]

This came up on the Sibelius list (I am a Finale user, but i bought a 
copy of Sibelius when they were giving them away for $80 last fall.  I 
may even install it some day.)


Someone was asking about the "quasi horn" indication for trombone, and I 
mentioned that according to one very good source, namely Reginald Fink's 
_The Trombonist's Handbook_, "quasi horn" on trombone "may indicate" 
that the passage should be played with the player's hand in the bell, 
similar to a horn player's hand?


When I have mentioned this in orchestra,  the other players assume I am 
insane.  (OK, so it was a pops concert, the easy medley of "West Side 
Story," [not the "Symphonic Dances"] when the trbs play with the horns 
on "Tonight", so maybe the other players weren't investing a lot in it, 
really.)   The hand in the bell (on the side of the bell , like a horn 
player) actually works, when tastefully done.


Has anyone else heard of this?


Raymond Horton
Bass Trombonist,
Louisville Orchestra



How do you get a trombone to sound like a French horn?

You stick your hand in the bell and miss a lot of notes.

(The original musical instrument joke, and still the best.)

Seriously, Darcy's answer was good - although "quasi horn" should work
fine even for jazz players. It is a common enough indication in big
band charts.

But, didja know that, according to one very good source, namely Reginald
Fink's _The Trombonist's Handbook_, "quasi horn" on trombone "may
indicate" that the passage should be played with the player's hand in
the bell, similar to a horn player's hand?

Raymond Horton
Bass Trombonist,
Louisville Orchestra