Articles - Houghton Horns

When I was growing up, both of my parents maintained private studios for teaching French horn. I can scarcely remember a week passing without students visiting our house for regular lessons. Over the years I observed that the instruction time was generally focused on musical technique and progression, but some lessons served as an extended …

Private Teaching Studio Policies & Guidelines Read More »

For over 40 years, Baylor University Summer Music Camps have offered amazing opportunities for musical growth. The 2021 sessions will feature BU faculty in an engaging virtual experience. Click here for more info and registration.

Those of us who perform live music professionally are (hopefully) seeing the first glimmers of a return to work in the near future. With that in mind, I thought it might be a good time to share these insights… Be Prepared. Always prepare your music in advance, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant the …

Pro Tips for Working Musicians Read More »

Here’s a quick guide to some retail terms that might allow you to snag a great deal on a basically-new instrument. A Stock If an instrument (or any retail product, really), is labelled “A Stock”, that means it’s brand-new and in perfect condition. Other than a test-play at the factory for quality control purposes, and …

What do manufacturers mean by “Demo” / “B Stock” / “C Stock” instruments? Read More »

$100 consumer rebates on the purchase of new Yamaha professional & ‘Custom’ instruments from April 1 to June 30, 2021. $50 consumer rebates on the purchase of new Yamaha intermediate and ‘Allegro’ instruments from April 1 to June 30, 2021.

I recently compiled some thoughts on achieving effective practice sessions. These concepts are universally applicable for all instrumentalists, not just horn players like myself! Planning. Plan regular times for your sessions. Ideally these are 2-3 sessions per day, each with a different focus. For example, the first session of the day might be focused purely …

Effective Practice Read More »

I have been a private horn teacher for over forty-five years. In fact, my husband Dennis was my first pupil! He was a sophomore and I was a junior at Los Alamitos High school in Orange County, California. Of course, at this point I didn’t know much, and since he was a beginner, I was …

10 Steps for Building and Maintaining a Successful Private Teaching Studio Read More »

From March 23 through June 30, 2021, use the code EASTMANREBATE at checkout for $50 – $100 off an Eastman or Shires brass instrument. Eligible models include: French Horns • $100 Eastman: Bravo, 600 series and higher Trumpets • $50 Eastman: 500 series Shires: Bravo • $100 Eastman: 800 series Shires: Q Series Trombones • …

Up to $100 off Eastman and Shires Instruments! Read More »

Is your brass instrument conical or cylindrical? Read below to find out and why it matters! A conical bore instrument is one in which the bore diameter gradually increases throughout the length of the tubing. Think of the shape of a cone: A cylindrical bore instrument is one in which the bore diameter remains essentially …

Conical or Cylindrical Brass – and Who Cares!? Read More »