The Holistic Horn - A New Paradigm of Brass Playing & Musical Mastery

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic, a comprehensive & innovative online program for horn players.

Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

📯 What do YOU actually want to sound like?

Momo Seko is a horn player, composer, arranger, educator, and musical experimenter whose work moves through orchestral playing, pop music, improvisation, chamber music, loop pedals, and her horn-and-guitar duo Momo & Alvin.

At the center of this conversation is a simple idea:

What you like matters.

Momo describes sheet music as a recipe rather than the cake. The notation gives us something to work with, and then our ears, taste, imagination, and musical intentions bring it to life.

That idea runs through almost everything we explore in this episode.

We experiment with different colors and “porosities” of horn sound. Momo explains why she deliberately practices multiple kinds of pianissimo, brightness, warmth, intensity, and note endings. She walks through her process for learning music entirely by ear and explains why treating a technical challenge as an ear challenge can sometimes transform the way you approach the horn.

We also talk about improvisation, arranging pop music, loop pedals, negative space, the relationship between artistry and professional reliability, and the parts of music that classical training does not always teach us how to name.

This is a conversation about developing enough technique to have choices, then developing enough taste to know which choice you actually want.

TOPICS

• Why sheet music is a “recipe, not the cake”
• Developing your own musical taste
• How Momo & Alvin began making music together
• Treating the horn as a vocal instrument
• Creating different colors and “porosities” in your sound
• Practicing multiple kinds of pianissimo, loud, bright, warm, and gentle
• Building a bigger artistic toolbox
• Learning music by ear
• Turning technical challenges into ear-training challenges
• Improvisation and learning to create in real time
• Loop pedals and arranging pop music for horn
• The tension between professional reliability and artistic individuality
• Why classical training only captures some dimensions of music
• Negative space, decay, silence, and how notes end
• Technique driven by artistic intention
• Nonviolent Communication for musicians and teachers
• Giving yourself permission to make music you actually like
• Momo’s message to horn players: “What you like matters.”

🌐 Links

High Range Magic for French Hornists: https://highrangemagic.com

Momo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momo.s.corno/

Momo & Alvin: https://momoandalvin.com/

This episode is sponsored by ‪ @HighRangeMagic  a comprehensive & innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/🎺 What actually makes brass playing feel easy, reliable, and coordinated?In 2016, I emailed trumpet teacher Jeff Purtle because I was struggling.From the outside, my horn career looked successful. I had toured with San Francisco Symphony and played principal horn on Mahler 5.Internally, playing felt physically uncomfortable, unreliable, and confusing.I was spending a huge amount of attention on my embouchure and lips, trying to figure out what was going wrong.Jeff became one of the pivotal teachers who helped me rethink how brass playing works.In this episode, we explore the principles Jeff learned through the Claude Gordon tradition, including tongue level, wind power, flexibility, range development, coordination, resting, and building fundamentals patiently over time.Jeff also walks me through a simple experiment you can try on your own instrument to begin noticing what your tongue is doing as you change pitch.We talk about embouchure, mouthpiece buzzing, over-analysis, endurance, high notes, practice structure, and how confidence can grow when the physical mechanisms of playing become more dependable.If your instrument sometimes feels mysterious, inconsistent, or harder than it should, this conversation gives you a lot to experiment with.TOPICSWhy tongue level was revolutionary for JeffThe physical components Jeff believes need to coordinate in brass playingA simple experiment for developing awareness of tongue positionTongue level and pitch changesHigh notes, wind power, and airWhy over-analyzing the embouchure can interfere with natural coordinationFlexibility exercises and same-fingering studiesBuilding range graduallyThe importance of scales, articulation, finger control, and neglected keysWhy Jeff does not consider mouthpiece buzzing a fundamentalResting during practiceClaude Gordon’s approach to fundamentalsWhy players often switch methods before fully experiencing onePracticing beyond the demands of the repertoireHow reliable mechanics can support confidence under pressureThe martial arts lesson Jeff uses to explain patience and strong foundations🌐 LinksHigh Range Magic for French Hornists: https://highrangemagic.comJeff Purtle: https://purtle.comJeff’s book, Hit It Hard and Wish It Well: https://hitithardandwishitwell.com☯️📯 Holistic Horn Podcast Ep. 21 | Why Brass Playing Feels So Hard with Jeff Purtle

Horn player and recording artist John Little joins Mars Gelfo to explore the making of his album Horn Evolution and what it means to create an honest record of who you are as a musician.

They discuss tone production, centering and flow states, hand horn performance, interpretation, audiation, practicing during long walks, handling rejection, creating your own opportunities, and why playing unaccompanied music can help you discover your authentic creative voice.

John also shares why he chose to preserve some human imperfection in the album rather than editing it into something that no longer felt like his playing.

17:49 “john’s top 3 interventions for tone improvement”

30:00 “Practicing on walks”

37:45 “be stubborn, create your own opportunities”

44:53 “benefits of playing unaccompanied”

You’re not on stage to be liked.
You’re there to create an experience.

In this episode, I sit down with Ruby Rose Fox, vocalist and founder of Muscle Music, a nervous system school for artists.

We explore a completely different way of understanding performance, presence, and connection.

Traditional advice like “just relax” or “be confident” doesn’t truly work… discover in this episode what to do instead.

This conversation reshaped how I think about performing, not as “trying to sound good,” but as leading energy.

If you’ve ever felt nervous, stuck, or disconnected on stage (or even in life), this one is for you.

TOPICS

• Why stage fright is driven by hormones, not mindset
• The concept of “Super Play” and how it unlocks authentic performance
• How to use nervous energy instead of fighting it
• Why trying to “sound good” actually makes you play worse
• What it means to be a nervous system leader
• The hidden role of dopamine and prediction errors in performance anxiety
• Practical tools for handling anxiety in real time
• Why great performers make the audience think about themselves, not the performer

🌐 Links

High Range Magic for French Hornists: https://highrangemagic.com

Ruby's Website: https://muscle-music.comRuby's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musclemusic__/

This episode is sponsored by  @HighRangeMagic , a comprehensive & innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 18 - Dr. Natalie Grana: A Singing Approach to Accuracy & MasteryNatalie Grana is the author of A Singing Approach to Horn Playing, horn faculty at Loyola University, and a professional hornist in the Gaudete Brass. In this episode we explore Natalie's transformational experience with solfege, and how singing has impacted her horn playing. We compare & contrast "fixed do" versus "movable do" systems and their pros & cons for use in horn playing.Main themes:- How a clear internal hearing system reduces fear and overthinking- Solfège as a tool for trusting what you hear instead of forcing outcomes- Why clarity of intention often fixes “technical” problems- The connection between hearing, confidence, and freedom- How Natalie teaches solfège to college students at Loyola- Meeting students where they are — even if solfège feels intimidating at first- Why many musicians were taught solfège in a disconnected or unhelpful way- Reframing solfège as a living musical language, not an academic exerciseRESOURCES:https://www.amazon.com/Singing-Approach-Horn-Playing-Training/dp/0197603572https://www.highrangemagic.comAbout the podcastHosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons!#frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange #solfege  @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

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☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 17 - Brian KM: The Electronic Hornist

Innovative electronic horn player Brian KM joins us for a wildly inspiring episode about creativity, self-presentation, persistence, and carving your own path in the brass world.

Brian has performed across Australia, Canada, and the U.S., directed the Melbourne Rainbow Band, toured internationally with his multimedia shows, and previously served as principal horn of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band (150–200 gigs a year).

In this podcast, we cover:

- How Brian built a thriving career through proactivity, self-producing, and constant creativity

- Why "everyone deserves a no”

- His philosophy of being the ocean, not the wall: finding pathways around obstacles

- The realities behind touring and residencies

- His simple, athletic warm-up (why boring fundamentals matter)

- The gear + setup behind his horn/electronics performances

If you're curious about alternative career paths, overcoming fear, or expanding your creativity, this episode is for you.

RESOURCES:

https://www.briankm.com

https://www.highrangemagic.com

**About the podcast**

Hosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons! #frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

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☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 16 - Oren Marshall: Powerful Breathing for BrassOren has performed with nearly every major London orchestra, recorded on soundtracks like Mission Impossible, and teaches at the Royal College of Music. He’s known for his groundbreaking work that blends classical performance, improvisation, and his own invented instruments.

In this follow-along podcast, we cover:

- Oren’s three-realm breathing practice: health, expansion, and resistance

- How breathing shapes your nervous system and stage confidence

- How yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong inform Oren's approach to music

- Why conditioning your breath might be the most important part of your practice routine

We go hands-on with breathing drills you can try along with us.This episode is for every musician who’s ever wanted to sound (and feel) more free!

RESOURCES:

https://www.orenmarshall.com

https://www.highrangemagic.com

**About the podcast**

Hosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons! #frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

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☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 15 - Elizabeth Freimuth: Mentorship & Freedom

Elizabeth Freimuth, new professor of horn at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for 19 years, joins us for this month's episode.

In our conversation, we cover:

- How fundamentals become freedom when you know why you're practicing

- Channeling your full emotional range into music

- The value of real mentorship

- What inclusion means in music today

Elizabeth brings wisdom to this conversation as we talk about the many paths horn players can take:[spoiler alert!] you don't need to be an excerpt jockey to have a horn career these days!

Hope you enjoy.

RESOURCES:

https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/about/the-orchestra/elizabeth-freimuth/

https://www.highrangemagic.com

**About the podcast**

Hosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons! #frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

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☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 14 - Austin Pancner: The Functional Musician

Austin Pancner, The Functional Musician, is a trombonist and movement coach. In this episode, we explore this phrase that reshaped his life and teaching: "Breathing is expansion in all directions at the same time."

What to expect in this episode:

- How breathing can restore motion and reduce pain in surprising ways for musicians

- Case studies of real musicians Austin has worked with (including healing insomnia and injury)

- A guided breathing exercise for you to try

We breathe about 25,000 times per day. How we do it directly affects our nervous system, joints, fascia - and you bet it affects the way we perform on stage. Hope you enjoy.

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalmusician/

https://www.thefunctionalmusician.com

https://www.highrangemagic.com

**About the podcast**Hosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons! #frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic an innovative online program for horn players.

Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/

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☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 13 - Kathleen Nagy: Healing With Your Horn

Kathleen Nagy, The Sound Lady, who wrote "Horn Harmonics for Health", is a horn player, author, and educator.

In this episode we cover:

- why the horn is a self-healing instrument

- how the brain works as a frequency monitor

- moving from music for entertainment to music for healing

- using multiphonics for calming nerves

- Kathy walks us through finding your own "chakra scale" which you can apply to your routine.

Whether you've been down the "woo-woo" road for years, or this is the first you've heard of chakras, you'll walk away with new ideas after listening to this episode.

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/selfhealingsoundenergy/

https://www.thesoundlady.com

https://www.highrangemagic.com

**About the podcast**

Hosted by hornist, educator, and entrepreneur Mars Gelfo, The Holistic Horn podcast features incredible personalities from the horn & music world, providing actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician and whole human.

If you like this episode, show some love by hitting the like & subscribe buttons!

#frenchhorn #podcast #brassinstrument #brasspedagogy #highrange @HighRangeMagic ​