Palen Music Center Quick Note Monday, February 4, 2008   The PMC Quick Note is a weekly service provided to all area directors.  It is part of our mission to support the lives of band directors across the Midwest.  The weekly Quick Note contains helpful tips and suggestions from area directors, spotlights on area college and university band programs, calendars of upcoming events, advocacy articles promoting music education, links to helpful web resources, and much more.  Comments, suggestions, ideas, and articles are always welcome.   Looking for help on a particular topic? Be sure to check out our Quick Note Catalog of back issues.

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Tips On Tuning A Double French Horn
Tuning suggestions courtesy of Conn-Selmer.

1. Begin by pushing the tuning slides all the way in.
2. Throw the horn into Bb activating the change valve and tune the open notes of the Bb side using the main tuning slide. (Note: Normal tuning on the main tuning slide is having it out ¼” to ½” to bring the Bb horn down to pitch. The whole horn is purposely built sharp when the main tuning slide is pushed all the way in.) When the Bb horn is brought down to pitch, the F side will remain sharp. DO NOT ADJUST THE MAIN TUNING SLIDE AT THIS POINT.
3. Release the change valve and the horn goes back into “F”.
4. Tune the open tones of the “F” horn by pulling the “F” tuning slide. At this point, the “Bb” and “F” horn open tone notes are in tune.
5. When the open tones on the Bb and F side are in tune, you may then tune the valve slides: First on the “Bb” side, then on the “F” side.
6. (Farkas style) A Farkas wrap features an independent tuning system where the Bb and F side can be tuned independently. You can adjust the Bb tuning on the fly if needed without impacting the “F” side and also adjust the “F” side without impacting the Bb side.

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Contact Your Local Palen Music Center

Can we assist you with anything?  Please contact your local Palen Music Center school road representative for all of your music education needs.