Posted by Steve C on November 05, 2002 at 00:21:03:
In Reply to: Eb Alto horn? posted by De on November 04, 2002 at 20:25:50:
Alto horn is pretty much just a brass-band instrument, covering the alto range parts (what a suprise), which are normally covered by the french horn. I believe that in brass band scoring, the Flugelhorn, Alto horn and [English] Baritone horn are pretty much used as one section. Find yourself some good English Brass Band CDs and listen for the alto horn, it is used quite often as a solo voice, and when played well, is a lovely sounding horn. Its hard to find good,and true sounding altos in the US as many are played by french horn players with the wrong mouthpiece, and wrong sound concept (Its not supposed to sound like a french horn, I believe thart's where all the problems are caused. It sounds much more like an alto trombone, with a broader, darker, and less 'piercing' tone).
Steve C