Blow Your Own Horn!: Horn Heresies

by Fergus McWilliam

Fergus McWilliam has been a member of the Berlin Philharmonic since 1985 and was a founding member of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet in 1988. He has spent the last twenty years touring the world with the Berlin Philharmonic and has made over a dozen recordings with his ensemble. During his career, he has performed with many of the major conductors of our times, including Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Ababado, Sir Simon Rattle, Leonard Bernstein, Carlos Kleiber, Seiji Ozawa, Pierre Boulez, James Levine, Daniel Barenboim and more. In addition, McWilliam also founded the Horns of Berlin Philharmonic and has helped re-establish the Winds of Berlin Philharmonic. His solo and chamber music activities continue to take him throughout Europe, the Americas and the Far East. Fergus McWilliam is also an internationally esteemed and sought-after teacher. He continues to give master classes at leading music schools in many countries, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Academy, the Hans-Eisler Musikhochschule in Berlin, the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School in London, the Paris Conservatoire, the Tokyo University of Fine Arts, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, the Venezuela Youth Music programme and more. Blow your OWN Horn is Fergus McWilliams ‘take’ on horn playing and more generally on music education. Written in a very spirited style, the book covers all aspects of playing and the profession, including, practical elements such auditions, embouchure, breathing, exercises. In addition, McWilliam explores topics such mind games, attitude, strategies, relativity, under pressure, why do we need teachers and much more

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insights for the horn player and teacher. McWilliam has nicely organized and articulated many of the thoughts I have had in a nice, neat package.

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus McWilliam is definitely a master in the horn world. I found it quite interesting to read his views on many things regarding horn pedagogy. However, quite a few heresies that he has mentioned are things I have not encountered in my time as a student or teacher. The one that I have, though: high horn players versus low horn players; and he was spot on with his observations and suggestions. He offers solid advice for a plethora of problems. He causes one to reflect as he calls into question things like warm-ups. I appreciated his Ten Tactical Musical Truths about Auditions, and especially this quote:

"Even if you are so nervous that your kneecaps are rattling and your mouth is as dry as paper; remember that you still have a higher responsibility to discharge. Even at an audition your job is still to serve the composer and the music. Your few moments of exposure are precious. Use them humbly and responsibly. An attach of nerves is actually you permitting your own self to become more important than the music and the composer. You are actually on an ego-trip!"

Being one who is always looking at new ways of combatting performance anxiety, working to bring the music to life an honour the music and composer struck me.

His section on Really Useful and Effective Exercises was also insightful, in which he also shared the pedagogical reasoning behind each exercise. From pampering ourselves with an exercise that is effortless, to playing Bach's Air on a G String in a number of different keys/ranges, I found this helpful.

There were times I felt McWilliams may have been looking down his nose at other horn players and teachers, but perhaps with over 40 years of experience as a professional hornist, he has every right to. At the end, he states "just as music can ring on in the mind even after the last note [h]as sounded, I hope that the reader may leave these pages—whether irritated, confused, intrigued or even a little inspired—at least hungry for more personal discovery." McWilliams has definitely left me hungry for more personal discovery.

[Joseph Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have worked on many wonderful projects and started and sold a company. The thing I do not always so is self promote. This is a wonderful book that conveyed both practical and marketable advice for any professional. It got into things I have not considered before dealing with salary raises and performance reviews. It was a good read.

Mr. Joe

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the most insightful, optimistic and encouraging text I have ever encountered concerning the horn. we hornists are very lucky to have the opportunity to read something as brilliant as this!