The inner acoustics of the horn

A paper written on the occasion of the 7th International Congress on Acoustics, Budapest 1971.

Since its introduction into the orchestra by Lully around 1660, the horn has undergone two radical changes, both of which are clearly reflected in the musical use to which the instrument was put.

First Epoch

Bach’s and Handel’s corno da caccia, today’s hunting horn, was played open, without the hand in the bell.

Second Epoch

Around 1750, the Dresden hornist Josef Hampel invented the stopping of the bell with the right hand. If the hand partially closes the opening of the bell, the pitch is lowered by as much as a whole tone or more. If the hand closes the opening completely, the tone rises by a half step.