French Horn Support
Play longer, play stronger – the French Horn Support takes the weight, relieves pain, and lets you enjoy the music.
French Horn Support
The ERGObrass support for French horn is a unique accessory that relieves the weight of the instrument from the player’s hands and upper body. By transferring the load to the adjustable support rod, it allows horn players to play with better posture, less tension, and more freedom of movement.
This results in improved comfort during long rehearsals and performances, while also helping to prevent pain and strain in the shoulders, arms, and back. The support is fully adjustable, easy to use, and suitable for players of all ages — from students to professionals.
With the ERGObrass French Horn Support, you can focus on your music, not on the weight of your instrument.
Why to use a playing support?
Well, the reason for using it is actually very simple and obvious:
You can surely hold the horn and your arms in playing position that way. However, if you can avoid this, is there really any sense keep on doing that? Would the playing be better in the long run if your arms, shoulders, neck and back could be more relaxed?
A playing support will give you a better posture automatically and this leads to better breathing. In fact so many important aspects of playing will improve if you would play a weightless instrument.
It really is this easy to use! See it in 57 sec:
You need to attach a clear plastic plate permanently to your horn with flexible plastic ties. There are two different plate options available, see our FAQ and video page for more info. The plate is cushioned with soft paddings to protect your instrument surface. The plate has several holes so that you can find the right one for best balance.
Press the black button of the support head to open the lock, place it on the eye bolt and release. Now it is locked.
The support has a stainless steel rod and the support head on top of it. You can move it up and down in the black tube. The spring mechanism enables a smooth playing experience. You can adjust the horn to stay in desired height with the disc lock.
Place the lower end of the tube to the chair. Now the horn floats weightless but as the connection is loose, you can turn the instrument very freely while playing. When resting place the horn to your lap like usual. The support rod and the tube hangs from the plate between your legs.
Standing up
To play standing up, you put the support tube in a special belt pocket (included in the basic full set). Now the weight of you hands and the instrument is transmitted through the belt to your legs! This is actually very comfortable feeling.
Telescopic monopod
There is available also a telescopic support extension for playing both standing up and sitting down. It enables player even more freedom while playing because a longer support allows larger movements at the same time as it transmits all the weight to the floor. The extension has five sections and four quick locks to get the extension in right height.
The extension monopod set does not belong to the normal full set but can be purchased as an additional set.
What people are saying
Jeffrey Snedeker“I began using the ERGObrass horn support a few months before back surgery, in anticipation of having to perform soon after the surgery itself. After a short period of adjustment, I discovered I was able to play with less tension in my whole upper body, with better posture and more relaxed airflow, whether I was sitting or standing.
I also found I experienced less pain and fatigue after long rehearsals, performances, or days of constant playing. I told my doctor about this device and as a result was allowed to begin practicing one week after surgery, and performed two weeks after that.
Now that the surgery is behind me and my back has recovered, I have decided to continue using this horn support into the foreseeable future. I highly recommend it, not just for people with back problems, but for young players, marching bands, and anyone who wants to extend their playing careers, or even just get the horn off their legs.”
Professor of Horn
Central Washington University
USA
Kerry Turner“For years I struggled with playing demanding solo and quartet literature while standing. I was always frustrated that my playing was so much better while sitting. I could never really show off to the public what I was really capable of doing, nor could I express musically and in minute detail the things I had practiced so hard. This was mainly due to the heavy weight of the horn (Paxman Triple), as well as a natural tendency to tension while playing.
After having received the ERGObrass, I could tell immediately that this device would have enormous potential for me and my situation. I am very aware that everyone plays differently and we all have different problems. But mine has always been this problem with the weight of the instrument.
It takes a bit of experimentation and getting used to, but I have already seen a huge improvement. I have been working with the ERGObrass stand now for several weeks and plan to use it at upcoming performances in Spain, Singapore, Australia and Rome.”
American Horn Quartet
Orchestre Philharmonique de Luxembourg
Pasi Pihlaja“Playing with the ERGObrass is much lighter. You notice it especially when you have to play more demanding material. I have tested other horn support devices, but they have not convinced me. With the ERGObrass you can use your energy for the music as you do not need to worry about holding your instrument (I use triple horn, 5,5 kg). The ERGObrass makes a big difference! No more pains or tiredness in my neck, shoulders or hands. I have also tested the ERGObrass with my students and they find the right playing posture readily: with a straight back, and they do not turn their head unnecessarily. I wholeheartedly endorse the ERGObrass for both students and professional players.”
Principal horn, Tapiola Sinfonietta
Espoo, Finland
Dan Grabois“I use the ERGObrass whenever I play, and I love it. All the tension that used to travel up my left arm is gone. The ERGObrass is also quite a conversation piece in the New York freelancing scene – everybody wants to know what it is, and wants to try it. It is a wonderful solution to the problem of the awkwardness of holding the horn.
When I play with the ERGObrass, my breathing comes easier, because my whole body is more relaxed. The biggest side effect of using the support was figuring out how to cue in a chamber music setting. My normal cuing motions were not possible, and I had to figure out a new way to communicate physically with my colleagues. I was able to solve this issue in a few rehearsals.”
Meridian Arts Ensemble
New York, USA
Javier Bonet“With this system a child of any age can play a horn without any physical problems. Not just for the sake of using air, but also to maintain good posture without any tension. I am not saying this just as a spectator but as a father of two “fantastic” hornists, age 7 and 9 years.
With the ERGObrass support they never have any tension, and they never get tired in any part of the body, except in the lips, of course! Without any doubt the ERGObrass support should be an indispensable tool for every young hornist and also for every horn professor.”
International horn artist
Professor of horn
Madrid, Spain
Sally Ng”I have been teaching little students for years. I found they always have problem on keeping good embouchure and posture of holding the horn. With Ergobrass, the little students can maintain good posture no tension and control the horn very easy. My youngest students who is just only 5, she can play the horn very relex and good air flow. It’s no doubt that the Ergobrass is a good invention for the young players.”
Hornist, Hong Kong Wind Kamerata
Horn teacher, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
(Junior School)