A creative pedagogical approach to the continuum of tonality to atonality for the horn through sixty progressive etudes

One of the most challenging aspects of contemporary music for the horn is tonal complexity, ranging from the simplest of scales to the relative unpredictability of atonality. Unfortunately, method books that incorporate these more complex tonal systems are written at a very high and challenging level. One of the primary reasons why different tonalities are challenging is because they are aurally unfamiliar and not addressed early in musical learning. As a result of a lack of accessible and progressive tonal to post-tonal studies, many students are unprepared for the full demands of contemporary music.

In order to address this gap in the literature, sixty original etudes are constructed, progressive and limited in both the technique required and in the tonal expansion towards atonality. Additionally, aural etudes are explored as both a precursor and supplement to the notated exercises. The tonality continuum is a defined set of scales and modes that bridges the gap between tonality and atonality. Each etude includes a commentary regarding its construction and primary goals and difficulties.