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

Mars Gelfo
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PERFORMING ARTS

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

  1. ☯️📯 Holistic Horn Ep. 18 - Dr. Natalie Grana: A Singing Approach to Accuracy & Mastery

    10H AGO

    ☯️📯 Holistic Horn Ep. 18 - Dr. Natalie Grana: A Singing Approach to Accuracy & Mastery

    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 ​

    54 min
  2. ☯️📯 Ep. 17 - Brian KM: The Electronic Hornist

    12/12/2025

    ☯️📯 Ep. 17 - Brian KM: The Electronic Hornist

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

    1h 1m
  3. ☯️📯 Ep. 16 - Oren Marshall: Powerful Breathing for Brass

    11/08/2025

    ☯️📯 Ep. 16 - Oren Marshall: Powerful Breathing for Brass

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

    1h 7m
  4. ☯️📯 Ep. 15 - Elizabeth Freimuth: Mentorship + Meaning in Music

    10/04/2025

    ☯️📯 Ep. 15 - Elizabeth Freimuth: Mentorship + Meaning in Music

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

    1h 4m
  5. ☯️📯 Ep. 14 - Austin Pancner: The Functional Musician

    08/30/2025

    ☯️📯 Ep. 14 - Austin Pancner: The Functional Musician

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

    1h 19m
  6. ☯️📯 Ep. 13 - Kathleen Nagy: Healing With Your Horn

    07/19/2025

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

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

    47 min
  7. ☯️📯 Ep. 12 - Alex Strachan: Mouthpiece Magic

    06/14/2025

    ☯️📯 Ep. 12 - Alex Strachan: Mouthpiece Magic

    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 ​

    53 min
  8. ☯️📯 Ep. 11 - Jenny Clift: EFT Tapping - Unlocking Musical Freedom

    05/10/2025

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

    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 ​

    1h 9m
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

Information