{"id":1763,"date":"2023-06-29T22:42:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T03:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundadventurer.com\/?p=1763"},"modified":"2023-07-03T13:17:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T18:17:34","slug":"what-is-in-a-horn-section","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/soundadventurer.com\/what-is-in-a-horn-section\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s In a Horn Section? Term Demystified"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You know? This seems like such a simple question, but the answer is surprisingly nuanced! When is a horn a horn and when is it a woodwind? Why is instrument classification such a mess?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colloquially, “horns” can be used to describe the saxophone section. Technically, some definitions of “horn” include instruments that use a bell-shaped tube to project sound, which definition encompasses the saxophone–while other definitions are limited to instruments that make sound via lip-vibration. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, is that it? Well, almost! I’ll try and make this abundantly clear here in a second.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"saxophone\" <\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What Is In A Horn Section?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer to this is a bit nuanced because it really depends on the context of the question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In A Concert Band\/Orchestra<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you were in a concert band, and the band director were to say, everyone play except the Horn Section, <\/strong>that would mean everyone play except the French Horns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confusingly, if in the same concert band, the band director were to say: everyone play except the horn instruments, <\/strong>then that would mean that everyone would play except the tubas, trombones, sousaphones (if in a marching band), french horns, and the trumpets or cornets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you see the subtle difference? The Horn Section in a concert band is the French Horn section, while the horn instruments are essentially all the brass instruments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice, however, that saxophones would typically be excluded from the horn instrument classification in a concert band. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Jazz Band<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a Jazz Band, the horn sections are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n