Water in the horn. I can't seem to keep the gurgle out of my tone.?

Question:I just started playing the horn, and my lip and fingering are all developing nicely, but I can't seem to play for more than 10 minutes after draining the water out before the horn begins gurgling again. I know real horn players can play for 2-hour rehearsals without draining their instruments, so what am I doing wrong?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just started playing the horn, and my lip and fingering are all developing nicely, but I can't seem to play for more than 10 minutes after draining the water out before the horn begins gurgling again. I know real horn players can play for 2-hour rehearsals without draining their instruments, so what am I doing wrong?

You are doing nothing wrong. You are not spitting into the horn. The warm air you blow in has watervapour in it. The watervapour condenses on the cooler metal of the horn just like breathing onto a cold window. After a few minutes enough collects to cause a gurgle!!

I'm a professional Horn player and I can assure you that we can't play for 2 hours without emptying!!!! At the end of a rehearsal or performance there is always a large puddle on the floor next to each player!

The best advice I can give is empty early and empty often.

One of my teachers made the point that you should never let the water build up to the point you can hear it!!
You should empty the leadpipe (the first bit of tubing the mouthpiece goes into) at every opportunity. If you have a spitvalve use it, if not tip the horn up so it comes out the mouthpiece (you can take the m/piece out!!) or pull the main tuning slide out and let it out there making sure that you put it back in the same place to stay in tune!!. If you leave it then it is more likely to get further into the horn leading to that frustrating search for the gurgle!!

Enjoy your horn playing, it is the best instrument. I have been playing professionally for 22 years and still love it.

nothing if youve just began playing you will learn over time to how not to spit a lot while playing it took me about 2 months to play for 1 hour without draining it but dont think i could any mor havent played in about 2 yaers good luck

You're not doing anything wrong. Over time you will learn to let the air pass through your lips & less spit. In the mean time, keep a towel close by & blow the water out frequently.