Introducing The Solo Horn

This odd instrument is a variation on the Eb Tenor/Alto horn with a forward facing bell and was sold as a "solo horn".
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[@avipotato]

I never knew it existed until I saw on eBay and thought, “ooh yes, I must have that.” -smartest man 2016

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

I've been doing some reading on old brass instruments. The name 'solo alto' was given to bell-front alto horns, and they were played by the 'solo' = first alto horn player. Since the first alto was given solos, they wanted an instrument that would project.

[@CorbyBug]

Beautiful how certain instruments were just made for certain musical subjects, don't you think? I love the reason why this beauty was made. Haha.

[@pauls5745]

it would seem appropriate yeah. interesting bit of history with these if someone had a lot of time to sniff around.

[@rvc6506]

From the USA, I'd call it a marching alto horn. Just a guess.

[@aaronhastie830]

when he took out the 3rd valve slide, he put it in the wrong way around 3:27

[@user-sv1sw9ev3w]

:D it makes no difference

[@nikomitrione]

So I’m not the only one noticed?

[@666toysoldier]

On a firearm, an enlarged trigger guard is designed for use with gloved hands. Perhaps the enlarged finger rings allow gloved play while marching in cold weather.

[@jadewolf3094]

interesting theory...

[@253goon]

I love that this compares a ridiculous instrument to a gun

[@maxalain9948]

@@253goon I mean they are comparable if you love at it

[@fryloc359]

When you have the captions on it says "solo porn"

[@grantnicholaus2729]

As a trumpet player, I love seeing trumpet videos, but these odd instruments are fascinating!!! Please keep finding awesome brass creations and keep up your other great posts as well!

[@coffeeisgood102]

Too bad that is so uncomfortable to use. It has a very pleasant tone.

[@liloutcast4904]

Harold Bullock true

[@TheJetto200]

I think marching euphoniums are more uncomfortable

[@tucker.84]

+TheJetto200 That is true, but if you play it the right way you can make it sound so beautiful. I own a dyNasty horn but I have not tried a yahama or jupiter one yet.

[@Metal-Possum]

Just buy a Flugelhorn.

[@michaeldavies4186]

@@Metal-Possum it is a flugelhorn

[@bikkies]

My latest acquisition, a B&H Lafleur marching baritone, maybe the big brother to yours. It looks a lot like this but with more tubing. It is also front-heavy, it also has that attractively wrapped third valve tuning slide, lacking a waterkey on that and on the outer corner as you indicated. Interesting creation though, full in tone and not too much resistance despite all the twists, turns and wraps.

[@richardxie-nguyen868]

The lack of spit keys reminds me of a French horn which you have to have to spin around to remove the water.

[@_rami_745]

On modern french horns we have water keys everywhere

[@jessebrook1688]

Yamaha's and Holton's new student double horns have a leadpipe water key that is very handy indeed.

[@jadewolf3094]

Conns dont have them

[@willlane5151]

I once had a bassoonist say it looked like I was doing doughnuts everytime I had to empty my water

[@willemkossen]

So its a gripehorn. Now we know

[@253goon]

I read that right as he said it

[@HTtwentyten]

Fascinating. Sounds like a tenor/alto horn with a very shallow mouthpiece. Those elder days of innovation and diversity in instrumentation, they fill me with wonder.

[@salvulcano9875]

Tenor trombone-Bb Tenor sax-Bb Tenor horn-Eb What??? British people don't make sense

[@Tools240]

Soprano, tenor and bass ranged instruments are in C/Bb, Alto and Baritone ranges are in F/Eb.

[@MrInitialMan]

Tenor recorder is in C. Oh, and Tools240, the Bass Recorder is in F.

[@rescue270]

Tools240 You're thinking of saxophones. This is brass. With brass instruments the term "baritone" is not really a pitch more than it is a timbre. The basic pitches and common keys are soprano (C, B-flat), alto, (F, E-flat) tenor (B-flat, rarely C), and bass (E-flat B-flat BB-flat- bass trombone is the only bass brass instrument to be in F). The term "baritone" is defined as "a dark tenor". Most baritone brass instruments are in B-flat, same as a tenor trombone. The baritone saxophone follows a different hierarchy in that it really is pitched below the tenor soxophones in key of E-flat, comparable to the E-flat tuba which actually makes it more of a bass instrument than a "dark tenor".

[@creamcheeser2465]

I mean then again, it is also called a alto horn

[@vladislavskokosnikovs8790]

Soprano flute is Eb Baritone sax Eb alto sax-Eb French horns can come in Eb. Alto clarinet in Eb, Soprano cornet in Eb, Alto trombone in Eb And these are only common instruments without contrabass sax, contralto clarinet, tubax, tuba Eb, altohorn Eb and some other less known stuff. The thing is that Eb instruments better get along with Bb stuff than F pitched. C and F instruments are for symphonic orchestra, because their configuration is better for sharp (#) tonalities while Bb and Eb stuf is better for flat (bemole) tonalities

[@robertpinolehto3034]

I at one time owned an E-flat alto fluegelhorn made by Couesnon. It's very similar to the aptly named Solo Horn, and it had a very deep almost French Horn style mouthpiece, and a seven inch bell. As an amateur musician, I used to use it for solo French Horn parts in a very small town band that didn't seem to know quiet dynamics. It was fun to play, but it was built very sharp. I was primarily a horn and tuba player, although I did play them all. I think that I would have had a lot of fun in the British band system, because I could play them all.

[@ruckanitepreacher5618]

Love your videos. I am a sax player who wants to learn to play a euphonium. We called them Baritones in the school band I was in. i was intrested in them then and am now as i am all wind instruments. You are very talented and give very good and simple reviews for people like me who need you to keep things simple.

[@smittywerbenjagermanjensen7027]

Its definentaly more "wah wah" sounding than a baritone but has a nice pitch. I wonder what it'd do with a plunger mute or maybe a custom made wah wah?

[@casoncloud8755]

Such an amazing musician! Great video once again, Trent!

[@jameskennedy7093]

The lights really must be like collapsed suns, because the yellow hue they fluoresce is enough that at first I didn't realize the horn was silver plated. It actually looked brass to me. #BlueDressWhiteDress #SilverHornBrassHorn #AltoHornTenorHorn

[@wayneworthy2672]

The sound of the horn is quite beautiful, and Bravo Trent for your performance of the Slavische Fantasie. I've noticed by watching your other videos that you are an accomplished and very talented musician. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to search Ebay for a "Solo Horn". Hope I can find one with a water key.

[@kevinlaster9447]

Am I the only one who saw him put the third valve slide in backwards?

[@timothymancheski2717]

I think it was backwards originally

[@TrentHamilton]

I noticed that myself when I was editing the video. My bad.

[@timothymancheski2717]

That's really just a nitpick, I really love your videos :)

[@mrdonut1533]

I thought something looked peculiar. Great videos dude!

[@viscosity7893]

I saw it too

[@Anonymoose151515]

Fantastic playing of that piece at the end there. Great vid

[@StopSignGreenLight]

Beautiful Sound Trent! Keep It Up!

[@bikkies]

"Saw it on eBay and thought Oh Yes, I Must Have That". Yup. Pretty much sums up my eBay life in one sentence there.

[@wayneworthy2672]

I enjoyed your rendition of the Slavische Fantasie. I've been following your videos for years. You are a very talented musician. Thanks for sharing.

[@ExaltedDuck]

Looking at the posting date on this video, Im sure someone will have commented already but this type of horn provides a "french" horn tambre for marching band. The oversized finger loops are that way to accomodate gloved hands as are common on a marching field. The lack of water keys might be for cost cutting ot for simplicity's sake. Third valve probably doesnt get played enough in a field show for it to be too much of a concern anyway, and pulling the slide and tilting toward thr open ends would readily dump the contents wihout having to 'chase' it so much. Anyway, it sounds nice. Maybe a little brighter than a mellophonium but field brass players like broght for projection.

[@danbytp]

Mr Trent,This baritone player loves your videos.Very educational and fun!

[@hakunakahuna]

Despite all the gripes, I WANT one of these! I currently play B flat cornet and F mellophone. I really like the flugelly sound of the solo horn in that E flat pitch. It sounds pretty similar to a mellophone, while being...well...prettier.

[@YCantiBePro]

I don't know a whole lot about music as I'm only in my fourth year of playing but the horn has what I can only describe as a thin sound to my ears but your playing was very good

[@danwittmayer6539]

Bravo, Trent!

[@alexworkman13]

It’s used in some American marching bands to replace the alto sax since a brass instrument projects it’s sound better than a woodwind, the big finger rings are meant for players that are wearing gloves

[@anthonywindau1684]

Loved it! I have to agree, if I saw that horn on Ebay I would have bought it too, just for fun!

[@user-yf4jx6te2b]

You'll probably laugh at this, but we used to use those in the same role as the euphonium in the marching band. At the end of the summer band two-a-days, our upper bodies were jacked. We used to call them the silver bastards because they weighed so much on the front end. Beautiful sound but we hated them so much.

[@ocarina6357]

Jesse Bush lol why didn't you guys just use euphoniums?

[@user-yf4jx6te2b]

Kenny Stafford The bells on euphoniums usually face up and the sound dissipates in a 360 angle, but those solo horns direct the sound toward the audience.

[@calebbrosnac5532]

Jesse Bush Use front facing baritones..

[@nuclearelevator8898]

You might be thinking of a marching baritone horn.

[@calebbrosnac5532]

Nuclear Elevator thats what i meant

[@spencerparker8406]

The way he says "this" is just so funny

[@Peter-re5fi]

Keep Doing these great informational videos it is quite entertaining.

[@Metamario68]

Your playing is excellent!

[@mikestang679]

Almost looks like a Mellophone, fun marching with them, gets heavy after a while........

[@mrdonut1533]

Very impressive!

[@OP2073]

Fantastic!

[@willcaviness]

Hey Trent! I just bought one of these in Ebay (same brand, model, etc only in yellow brass) and I really dig it! I think if you find the right balance it isn't that hard to hold...of course, I might change my mind after playing that long arban piece lol. Anyways thanks for all your great videos, much appreciated

[@amyjensen9505]

I really do like the sound of it. There’s a flugelhorn in my band that has a solo in a piece called the kingdom of Asturias. It is pretty

[@pauldance7387]

Nice sound

[@yizharamir5915]

thank you very much

[@eggpoacher2025]

Can I like this more than once please?

[@michaeltroster9059]

Actually, in spite of its awkward configuration, it has a pleasant tone.

[@celticpridedrums]

man that was great--hard piece. Gees thats good, I wish I could play like that. And great horn.

[@mason11198]

Oh my, that instrument is so beautiful. Damn shame it isn't standard

[@nattance1]

It sounds just as I imagine an alto cornet would -- an instrument I'd like to have, but can't find anyone to admit to having one. Yet, I've seen alto cornets, as well as alto flugels, offered in very old Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward catalogs.

[@MasonAtha]

I've seen this also referred to as a "Solo Alto" in addition to just a "Solo Horn." Interesting instrument, definitely. It has a favorable tone on top of that too.

[@glynboyington3834]

I watched this some years ago but did not get round to commenting. You have an Eb marching tenor horn. The design was marketed by B&H in the Uk in the 1970's when many youth bugle & cavalry trumpet bands were looking to convert to chromatic brass but wished to continue with bell front. 2 other specific "marching' instruments were included in the range -a baritone and a euphonium. First band to be fully equip with these B&H Lafleur marching instruments was Thurrock Marching Brass from Essex. The market at the time was very big with many bands changing to the 2 (or 3 valved) American G bugles soprano, mellophone, baritone,bass). Other adopted the usual brass/concert band instruments and others continued with the traditional signal bugles/trumpets. The Lafleur stuff was inexpensive but, to be honest not great. Unfortunately there are now b]very few marching youth bands left in the UK

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

This instrument is just screaming to replace alto sax players in horn sections. “Please play me instead, you won’t have to transpose!”

[@Capricegirl_]

I wish I had a collection of instruments like you.

[@HallOfBass]

I have one from Couesnon c1974. I think they marketed it as an alto flugelhorn. The wrap is better and much easier to hold in the left hand, but draining fluids is still an issue.

[@Lucarioliker12]

Hello Trent, I have a curious instrument produced by getzen in the 1940s. It is called the Frumpet, getzen's take on the marching french horn. It is in the key of f (and originally came with a slide that changed the instruments key to e flat). It uses a french horn mouthpiece. Its taking up space and I was wondering if you would want to buy it from me? Thanks

[@TrentHamilton]

Hey mate, I've had another person offer me one on the understanding that I pay for shipping. How much would you want for yours?

[@Lucarioliker12]

+Trent Hamilton What did he offer?

[@TrentHamilton]

EmberGaming Just for me to cover the shipping cost.

[@Lucarioliker12]

+Trent Hamilton I cant offer any lower than that, but I can match it.. Mine comes with the original case (which ia beat up but useable) and missing the e flat slide. The horn itself is in very good condition with only 1-2 little dings.

[@TrentHamilton]

EmberGaming If you could find out how much shipping costs to my PO Box that'd be great :)

[@REALjohnmosesbrowning]

Arghh... Ive been looking for a horn like this for ages

[@KirklandWilliamsWorkout3000]

Awesome 😊

[@ephronium]

i really want an alto/tenor horn but i didn’t realize solo horn were the marching version

[@sebskelly]

Oooooh, so that's what it is! I got one for cheap from my local music shop a few years back. Same model, though a lot more battered and grubby. Maybe I should get it serviced…

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Who else is here cuz they saw it in the description of a brass quintet video by Seb Skelly?

[@253goon]

ohmygod I dm'd him and we had a convo about that

[@mbadley658]

Much of the 'pre-large-group' British style brass bands were composed of an Eb soprano (sometimes doubled to ease the load on the constant melody), 2 - Bb sopranos, 2 - Eb altos, 2 - Bb tenors, a baritone (as soloist in the low brass) and tuba. I've played numerous arrangements, and it is often very nice to give some of the oft-repeated melody lines to the Eb alto. Throwing them a life-line from the constant afterbeats... Although I've never seen a bell front alto, this arrangement would definitely let the alto player project more forward. It doesn't sound much different from an alto in the normal bell up arrangement from what I can tell of your sample.

[@lazhen]

Excellent execution of technically difficult music. I enjoy your videos, and play trumpet myself, so I can appreciate the level that you are playing at. BTW, do you have any tips or exercises for fast sixteenth note runs that you can share? You handle them quite nicely. Thanks for the outstanding videos, keep up the good work, and God bless you!

[@d.h.shearer2206]

I have the same horn, but with rotary valves (SARV). It's a German horn manufactured by Johannes Adler. It's every bit as font heavy as yours. I found it on eBay and said "I must have that!"

[@TrentHamilton]

Ooooh Any photos you can send me?

[@d.h.shearer2206]

Trent-- I have two photos for you. I'll need an email address since this forum doesn't seem to be set up for attachments. By the way, I live in Oregon, USA.

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

Search 'Boston solo pocket alto horn' for a great web page on a similar 19th century instrument.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

I've seen one of these being played by a musician in the Grimethorpe brass band before

[@rawlinsonboy]

That will be a Flugelhorn in Bb, every brass band has one

[@ichirofakename]

Thing sounds good.

[@rodrigorodriguez8920]

It kind sounds like the American marching mellophones (those huge bell types).

[@pauls5745]

left hand is most commonly used underneath, palm up from what I've seen a few players with them tending not to hold the horn valves strictly vertical but canted right. the lower tube seems to be natural for the left hand to carry the horn when not playing, so you might see some wear in that area in the finish. that'd be evidence the left hand does not wander away from that spot much, compared to some top or mid hand placement. your solo alto horn is more open than some others I seen which have a very open middle space at the valves, probably just right for people with big paws. have a look at Google images for alto solo horn, buried down about 50 or so images you'll see some other examples. vintage alto solo horns are much more compact vertically, to the point they seem a totally different instrument and quite a few are not held vertically at all. I'd love to have one of any period made. shame they were never popular so not many exist still

[@billygarvey633]

Sounds very good, actually. I'm pleasantly surprised

[@lstockl5901]

Have you ever played an Ophicleide, as a bassoon and brass player I'm interested

[@arsonwells69]

Two Questions. 1. If a trombone has a trigger/attachment, is it set on a different key and the attachment switches it back to its formal key, Or does it swap its key? 2. What is the traditional key for Trombones without triggers/attachments?

[@TrentHamilton]

Tenor and bass trombones are in the key of Bb, the trigger, when in use, changes the key down to F. The traditional key for tenor, bass, soprano, piccolo, and some contrabass trombones is Bb, for alto trombones is Eb, and for some contrabass trombones is F. There are exceptions, but that's the general rule.

[@pangelo7884]

Hello trent Were can I find this music sheet you played for us? Pascal from France

[@himazin8209]

すごいフィンガリングですね。憧れます。

[@chiwea123]

Can you find music for your G-D bugle?

[@asterlb1885]

interestingly this one has a different wrap than most other solo horns ive seen online. maybe the others are more comfortable to hold

[@robwilkes3351]

I sarcastically, whole-heartedly believe that your demonstration music should be the horn par from "The Final Countdown" by the band Europe.

[@aqw4life]

Would it be possible to do a pTrumpet review in comparison to a brass?

[@codyleonard9798]

can you play the swan on the contrabass trombone?

[@johnnyboy1334]

Do you know where I could find one of these?

[@aurynaichi7030]

I was thinking of a Trumpet to add to my collection of "stuff I don't play" but they seem icky and problematic lol

[@lukebranstetter2104]

mellophone

[@JamesThatcher]

Technically, mellowphones are in F

[@paulmullen2620]

Where can one get one of these? I've been learning alto/tenor horn (previously 3 decades as a tuba player) and this would be perfect for jazz I think.

[@catatonicbug7522]

Love how the auto-generated English subtitles say it's a "solo porn".

[@jessebrook1688]

I can't add too much to the summation of what a solo horn (solo alto horn, soloist-style alto horn) is. But I can say more about Lafleur. That was a name that Boosey & Hawkes imported Czech-made instruments in under from roughly the 1950s to the 1970s. They are "OK" at best. The "400 series" that followed up in the 1980s and 1990s is much less than "OK". I think you'll find that if you look for solo alto/solo tenor horns on eBay, that most examples will have the features you missed on this example. And, I dare say, will feel better as playing instruments, also. From what I have read, the heyday of the solo alto in the U.S. was from about the 1880s-1900s. By the 1910s, they were starting to be a rarity, and by the 1950s, they were pretty much impossible to find, except as mellophone-based instruments pitched in E-flat with F slides included.

[@MrFlashyDiablo]

Looks like the marching French horn I own, but it's in Bb.

[@danie.hsieh.salvation.BassTb]

What is the different between mellow phone ？

[@bpaudel2767]

Hey! Do you know where i can get the music?

[@michaeldavies4186]

Hey Trent, where can I find a horn like this?

[@a_literal_brick]

does this use the same notes as French horn/ mellophone?

[@TheAvgCommentator]

There are Eb French horns too, but you're basically right.

[@michaeldavies4186]

These things are impossible to find in america, and it's a real shame

[@Elemental029]

I want one, but here in 2020, can't find one

[@rlutterb]

I've owned a couple of those, one an off brand and other a couesnon. Was hoping as a british band bander that I could have a nice instrument for playing solo's out in front of the band, but the G's and D's where so far out of tune I just could not do it. that one sounds decent in tune, but that may be the players abilities to correct for the horns shortcomings. I heard that high G go sharp a bit, but still better than ones I had.

[@CurtisL8.3066]

I'm sure I could get a pretty decent jazz sound out of this thing with the right mpc. I kinda want it. If you want to sell it, Trent, let me know!

[@trumpetplayerdude9838]

I want it

[@siewyongli1055]

it does sound like a horn

[@parkersovinski2778]

So does this have the same register as an alto trombone ?

[@TrentHamilton]

Yes

[@MasonAtha]

More or less. Its range compared to the alto trombone is like a tenor trombone compared to a baritone. It can definitely play the same music.

[@billygarvey633]

Mason Atha noteworthy that Alto trombone usually reads untransposed bass clef while this instrument would likely read transposed treble clef. But they have the same harmonic series

[@lindsaygibson2142]

Pretty sure alto trombone usually reads alto clef. Not sure why you'd write alto trombone in bass clef, if anything, tenor clef would be the better choice for lower parts (since an alto trombone can't play below the bass clef staff if you discount the pedal series).

[@mlgssj763]

This can read bass by just changing the clef and adding 3 sharps

[@arielhernansuaznabar9527]

What brand and model is that solo horn?

[@travisworts6249]

That's how my contra was

[@gregoryschwarz2730]

It’s less abrasive/bright than an Alto/Tenor Horn IMO. The sound im looking for for my German group. Are these still produced?

[@mason11198]

perhaps a counter balance would help?

[@RyJohnsonMusic]

Have you ever thought of investing in a flumpet? I find them intriguing and would be interested to see your review as an experienced brass player.

[@TrentHamilton]

I've got a viewer who has offered me one. I'm just waiting for shipping prices and then hopefully I'll be able to do a video on it.

[@RyJohnsonMusic]

Trent Hamilton Nice, I'll be sure to stay tuned for that

[@jadewolf3094]

get it?!?!? TUNED?!?!?! *MANIACLE LAUGH*

[@cosmicsans67]

you're videos are awesome and its cool to see other new brass instruments, but why do you always pick medieval sounding music to play?

[@rodneywoodrum9395]

Wondering if it would blend into a jazz big band