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

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

---☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 12 - Alex Strachan: Mouthpiece Magic

This episode is all about mouthpieces, with guest Alex Strachan of Strachan Brass.

Alex is a horn player and custom mouthpiece maker with a deep knowledge of how gear impacts performance.

In this episode we cover:

• The different parts of a mouthpiece

• How to effectively try out a mouthpiece

• How specific mouthpieces match specific horns

• The history and evolution of mouthpieces

Alex breaks down the technical aspects in a clear and approachable way.

Whether you've played on the same mouthpiece since you started, or you're always experimenting, this episode will give you tools to better understand the importance in choosing a mouthpiece.

This episode is perfect for any horn player who's curious about gear - especially those looking to refine their setup.

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/strachanbrass/

https://www.strachan-brass.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/

---

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 11 - Jenny Clift: EFT Tapping - Unlocking Musical Freedom

This episode is on EFT Tapping & healing Hesitant Attacks / Stutters, with guest Jenny Clift.

Jenny Clift is a violinist, EFT Tapping Coach for musicians, and author. In this episode we cover:

• The science behind EFT

• The transformative power with musicians using EFT

• Self-acceptance and performance anxiety

• Jenny walking Mars through a powerful EFT session on hesitation, for you to follow-along with

As Jenny puts it,

"EFT is like acupuncture without the needles, and talk therapy with an _energetic_ component."

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/jennyclift.coach/

https://www.abetterlifetapping.com

https://www.highrangemagic.com/

Link to YouTube video EFT tapping follow-along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBBEzXGrK98&t=42m35s

**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/

---

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 10 - Felix Klieser: Overcoming Nerves & Finding Your Path

Felix Klieser is an international Horn soloist. He is also the author of 2 books, links below. Felix was born without arms and plays the horn using his left foot and toes on the valves.

In this episode of the Holistic Horn:

- overcoming nerves (Felix's analytical approach)

- finding your path as a performer

- Felix's advice on curating your warm up

- Felix's journey on overcoming challenges in the horn world

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/felix.klieser/

https://www.felixklieser.de/en/

https://www.highrangemagic.com/

https://www.felixklieser.de/en/read-en

**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/

---

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 9 - Kate Warren: Performance, Practice, and Career Creation

Kate Warren is a soloist with the Broadway show Blast! Japan tour, professor at Ocean County College, has written horn fundamental and etude books, and a social media influencer with over 20K followers on YouTube and Instagram.

In this episode of the Holistic Horn:

- How to connect with your audience

- The nuance between performer vs. artist

- How to structure your practice when you’re busy

- Music & Technology

- "Dream" music careers - can they change?

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/katewarrenmusic/

https://www.youtube.com/@katewarrenmusic

https://www.katewarrenmusic.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  @katewarrenmusic   @HighRangeMagic ​

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

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 8 - Jason Sulliman: Facial Stability & Fast Practice

Jason Sulliman is truly a special figure in modern brass pedagogy, helping musicians harness the power of science to make music better, and to practice more masterfully.

This episode covers Jason’s revolutionary ideas for practice, plus his facial stability training.

I personally started implementing his ideas and almost immediately resolved some nagging issues in my technique.

Jason’s dedication & systematic approach in itself will inspire you!

Enjoy this episode, brought to you by High Range Magic, and after you listen, check out the mini-episode too - Jason breaks down forward, backward, & goal “macro-chaining”, coaching me on an insanely difficult fast passage.

In this episode of the Holistic Horn:

- understanding muscle coordination in brass playing

- return to playing after an injury- techniques for overcoming technical challenges

- Jason's journey to his "obsession" with practicing

- kinesiology

- tracking metrics in practice

- understanding musical fluency

RESOURCES:

https://www.instagram.com/jasonsulliman/

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonSulliman

https://www.jasonsulliman.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 @JasonSulliman  @HighRangeMagic ​

This episode is sponsored by @HighRangeMagic  an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com/---☯️Holistic Horn Ep. 7 - Chris Castellanos: Keys to Long-Term SuccessChris Castellanos of the Boston Brass, high horn extraordinaire with a following on YouTube and Instagram of over 42,000, talks about how consistency, collaboration, and individuality have impacted his multi-genre career.We explore Chris's daily routine, tips for slotting notes in the high range, and how he prepares for 2-hour long shows on tour with the Boston Brass. In this episode of the Holistic Horn:- foundations of Chris's pedagogical approach - advice on building endurance- beard care with French Horn playing- equipment: horn and leadpipe- routine & discipline upping your batting average- Chris's advice for online creators- Chris's biggest inspirationsRESOURCES:https://www.chriscastellanos.comhttps://www.instagram.com/vegashornplayer/https://www.youtube.com/@UCtrn4Ao80Wlf_GQpoq8EWMQ https://bostonbrass.comhttps://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 @ChrisCastellanos1  @HighRangeMagic 

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

This episode is sponsored by High Range Magic, an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at https://www.highrangemagic.com

This episode is sponsored by High Range Magic, an innovative online program for horn players. Find out more at  https://www.highrangemagic.com

---

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 4 - Jen Montone of Philadelphia Orchestra, on Musical Resilience

This episode goes deep into Jen’s path with the horn, including mindfulness & trauma release work, and recovering from injuries.

She leads us on a powerful guided meditation to build resilience for high pressure performances, and talks about the role of self-love in musical risk-taking.

We unpack a jaw-dropping moment from when I played Firebird with her in Philly, dive into Jen’s equipment choices over the years, and you’ll hear why her latest recording project is so special. 

Listen to the end to discover Jen’s solution to hesitant attacks, and find out how many hand positions she uses!

In this episode of the Holistic Horn

RESOURCES:

https://www.youtube.com/@montonej

https://jenmontone.com

https://www.rubenfeldsynergy.com/

https://windsongpress.com/product-category/breathing-devices/

https://patricksheridan.com/products/the-breathing-gym-daily-workouts-dvd

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, to provide actionable insights, inspiration, and thought-provoking ideas to help you live your best life as a musician & whole human.

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

☯️ Holistic Horn Ep. 3 - Shanyse Strickland, multi-genre hornist, thinking & playing outside the box

Shanyse Strickland is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger & composer, educator, and overall musical innovator.  Listen to the end of the podcast to hear us trade improvised licks and discover the one improvisation trick Shanyse feels can add color to any line. 

Points we cover (among many others!):

- High vs. low playing - being okay with where you excel

- How Shanyse got started

- Mars' journey w/ 4 embouchures

- Shanyse’s on spirituality and the horn

- Anxiety may related to not operating in your zone of genius

- Meditating with the horn - how, why, and effects

- finding your purpose

- what it was like being the only black horn player in high school

- shining light on hidden norms in the horn world

- finding your own primary path as a musician

- experiences as a black, queer, woman horn player 

- be a great musician first, horn player second

- hesitant attacks (valsalva) & trauma resolution 

- listen to shanyse improvise a little

- mars serenades shanyse!

LINKS:

Shanyse’s website:

https://www.shanysestrickland.com/

Releasing anger with a french horn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FKA3nGh-bM