Description: raising the bell into the air
Notation: verbal instruction in the music - bells up
Comments: Very striking when done by the whole horn section together, but primarily a theatrical effect. Cormac ó hAodáin of the Philharmonia Orchestra says, "Bells up is an effect basically. There is a difference in sound, that´s for sure. The traditional playing position is with the bell back at elbow level, but to play bells up the instrument is raised and rotated upwards to shoulder level. Some players and some orchestras play it somewhere in between, but other orchestras really go for it. There is definitely a difference in sound, but it´s nowhere near as big as the visual impact that´s created when everybody lifts their bell, usually at the same time, which is great. Some players like to keep it a bit lower because being such an unnatural playing position can lead to splitting notes and so on."
Glissando
Description: A slide in pitch between notes.
Notation: The beginning and end note of the glissando are written and connected by either a straight or a wavy line. Usually the word gliss or glissando will be written above.
Comments: Valve/lip glissando involves hitting as many harmonics as possible between two pitches. This is the standard glissando, but it is also possible to use the hand to slide a semitone.
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Glissando...
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Hand glissando...
Trills
Description: a rapid alternation between two pitches - either a tone or a semitone apart.
Notation: The example shows a minor trill (semitone) followed by a major trill (whole tone), indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose a trill type based on musical context. Wavy lines to indicate the duration of a trill are optional.
Comments: Semitone trills work anywhere on the instrument. Whole tone trills can be more difficult, especially in the low to middle register. Lip trills between two harmonics work well in the upper and middle registers.
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About trills...
Tremolo
Description: a trill or rapid alternation between two notes more than a tone apart.
Notation: thick slanting lines between two notes. The tremolo shown on the left lasts for one beat.
Comments: Tremolos are not really feasible on the horn.
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Tremolos...
Brassy
Cuivré
Description: Correctly known as cuivré, this means a 'brassy' sound.
Notation: cuivré or 'brassy' written above note
Comments: Use for limited periods only.
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Cuivré or 'brassy'...