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Instrument: Horn |
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 Horns make up one of the largest families of contemporary wind instruments. They range from natural animal horns or metallic posthorns used as signaling devices throughout Europe and Africa to orchestral models in western art music ensembles. It isn't possible to identify the 'earliest' members of the horn family, although its likely that they date from at least 2000 B.C.
Hunting horns are generally curved, portable instruments, made from animal horn or brass, with simple mounts. Larger oliphants made from carved ivory, have also been described as 'hunting horns', but their sheer size and weight make them impractical to carry.
Reed horns have been made from gourd and cane reed among the Amazon Nations of Brazil, from cow or goat horns in South America and Europe, or brass, as featured in the Stearns collection. These instruments have no keys or valves, but the attached reed creates a specific pitch.
Circular hunting and post horns have one or more coils (or folds) in the body of the instrument; |
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this lengthens the windway, allowing an instrument to produce a much wider range of sounds without becoming too long to carry. Coiled instruments date back to at least 1604. Multicoil horns (such as the French horn) date from the 17th century.
Contemporary metal horns, usually made from brass or silver are extremely versatile, and are featured in such musical styles as Ghanaian (West African) highlife (based on the British band and swing band traditions), marching band music, and art music for orchestral ensembles. In the 19th century especially in British influenced countries, brass bands became a staple of community life. In North America, school marching bands continue the tradition of pageantry and public celebration closely associated with these instruments.
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