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Irish bronze
horns are by no means unique in the world of music,
though they do belong to a particular
wind instrument family. This is called the single
cavity family. The essential feature is an open
mouthpiece which allows the entire length of the
instrument to resonate a note. Other members are
animal horns from Africa, didgeridoo from Australia,
wooden trumpets from the Amazon and various sea
shells from around the world.
 It
is possible to listen to recordings of surviving
players and traditions of some of these instruments
and gain insight into the properties and possibilities
of bronze horns. While no tradition of the Bronze
Age survives in Ireland our present day music
and song still contain certain rhythms and properties
to which the horns lend themselves. It is thought
that the Irish drum or bodhrán is at least
as old as the horns and maybe older. Therefore,
it is no surprise to discover that these two ancient
instruments work extremely well together.
Different sizes and types of horns require varying
playing technique. The larger end blow instruments
from further South can be played in a manner very
similar to the Australian didgeridoo. This involves
using circular breathing and complex lip, mouth
and upper body movements and pressures to vary
tone and rhythm. Smaller side blow horns can be
played intermittently as horn players from Africa
do. Several notes can be produced using the hand
in the bell and tones can be enhanced through
mouth and voice control.
Though
more difficult, circular breathing can be used
on side blow instruments. By employing a particular
tongue technique some of the horns can be made
to produce a strong overtone series. This can
be compared with the overtone singing of Northern
Europe, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. The discovery
of these extraordinary musical properties was
made during the recording of original horns for
the Coirn na hÉireann CD and are clearly
audible on track number 44. For anyone wishing
to learn to play Irish horns it is a great advantage
to have already achieved some measure of competency
on a didgeridoo or equivalent plastic or wooden
pipe. The ideal size of such a pipe is approximately
3 cm or 1.25 inches in diameter and 1.2 meters
or 4 feet long. It is advisable to fashion a smooth
mouthpiece at one end to facilitate the lips.
The note is achieved by vibrating the lips loosely
together into the mouthpiece.
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