I've been recently dreaming of a horn that drains itself. Someone has actually thought of a way to do it.

www.thejoykey.com

Valerie Wells
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/

Wow that is amazing!! Ive sent them a message asking a few questions because i would love something like that on my horn.

At the moment, my horn has no water valves and so i have to manually empty them by removing each slide which is annoying so having these would be so great!!

Thanks for the link :D

This device was designed by Andrew Joy, principal horn of the Cologne Radio orchestra. The horn pictured with all the little Joykeys is actually the triple Andrew performs on. So you know it's not going to screw up your horn playing.

Valerie Wells
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/

I really like the idea of not having to ever empty spit again, but I am not in favor of having it drip all over me while I play. What other sorts of gadgets and gizmos do they have for emptying condensation?

I've thought of the drips, but I don't think it will be a big issue for me since I always play with a black towel on my lap anyway. And, if I played a triple and was a ful-time professional, doing a 3 hour show in a crowded orchestra pit, let me tell you, I'd have several of those little things. I've banged my horn on the music stand SOOOOO many times when I've performed in crowded conditions. (And I've also been banged by others.)

I don't know of any other gadgets that drain a horn other than traditional water valves.

Valerie Wells
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/

Well I emailed Andrew Joy and he assured me that the drips werent a problem, as for most people they didn't drip onto their lap, and if they did, a simple solution was a cloth!!

He also stressed the importance of getting them fitted by a professional. I would be really interested in this, I am just not sure I am happt to undergo such a permanent 'operation' on my horn.

On FaceBook, there's a discussion on Osmun music about the JoyKey. All the guys are saying they don't want the mess of water on their shirts & pants because their clotes are already heavily stained with grease.

"Well," I asked, "Why are your clothes stained with grease? Is it because you are so often hurridly pulling & replacing slides to GET THE WATER OUT???" If they had JoyKeys strategically placed on their horns, they woulnd't need to be constantly pulling slides getting grease all over the place. (DUH!) Wouldn't a few drops of water be better than grease on their concert clothes?

Tsk, tsk, tsk! I know all about messy boys. I raised four of 'em.

Valerie Wells
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/