Hunting Horn Mouth Pieces

[Tim Crosby]

   This is kind of a follow-up on Ahtuwisae’s post on Hunting Horns. Top three Pix: For an applied tip this is how I make them. Is that similar to how yours is done?  Bottom two: If the mouth piece is part of the horn this is what they look like.
 I was going to send this in a email but I figured others may want to see and or have other ideas from what they have done or seen.
  Also how much does the shape of the cup in the tip effect the sound?

  Tim C.

[bigsmoke]

Tim,
It seems like I have made a kazillion blowing horns with an integral mouth piece.
I have also made one with an external screw tip mouthpiece and a couple with internal screw tip mouth pieces.  I even made one with a regular bugle mouthpiece.
I haven't tried an applied mouth piece yet, but with your photos, I think I just might give 'er a go.  Thanks for the info and inspiration.  What do you do, just pressure fit the mouth piece into the horn, or glue it or pin it or?
John

[Kermit]

For brass players, the mouthpiece has almost the mythos that a bow has to a violinist. My dad was a symphony bassist, and I still have his bow because it was so treasured by him through about 50 years.

I'd say shape IS important--I'm just not sure you'd be able to tell with it attached to a hunk of old dead cow's head.

[Larry Pletcher]

I agree with Kermit. I used to play a trumpet. Mouth pieces are made in variations. Shape and depth are important. Players choose a mouthpiece that fits them best. Comfort and the ability to play extended length of time are part of the decision-making.

When I made my hunting horn I turned the mouthpiece to match my trumpet mouthpiece as best I could. I can't say that it made much difference when attached to a cow horn. I have a conch shell horn that actually sounds better than my hunting horn.

Regards,
Pletch

[Chris Treichel]

I was just reading about this... I am a baritone player and also interested in early instruments... if your looking for horn mouthpieces look for an instrument called a cornetto or a zink.  I have a book with some scale drawings but you won't believe how small the mouthpieces were.

Here is a link to the Early music shope http://www.earlymusicshop.com/Browse.aspx/en-GB/medium1_format51/1/

their cornetto mouthpieces are about 12-14mm accross tiny little things

early sacbutts and trumpets used larger mouthpieces which also were sometimes of horn

the other big difference with these is the absolutely thin rim and that their played on the side of the mouth... Cornettos were popular until the end of the 18th century when they were replaced by more complex instruments.