Hello,

I've been using a marching lyre for some time, but I'd like to replace it, if possible. It is the most common type (or, at least, the type everybody's got over here), ending in something like curved tongs (sorry, I don't know the exact term) that are tightened by means of a butterfly nut. Like this one:

http://www.instrumentomania.com/823-3415-home/atril-marcha-trompa-obrac-pinza-1216.jpg

The problem is that the tube of my horn is starting to look all dented. I daren't tighten it too much, but if I don't, the lyre keeps on moving and tilting. And anyway it gets loose again after some time.

As I've told you, I'd like to buy a new lyre, but of a different type. I was thinking of something like this one (which is for clarinet):

http://www.lamusainstrumentos.es/image/cache/catalog/Accesorios/Accesorios%20Clarinete/Atriles/atril%20de%20marcha%20clarinete%20Obrac-700x700.jpg

On the one hand, I don't know whether this would solve my problem, or I would have to carry on tightening and tightening. But I had thought that I might even solder the ring to the tube so it gets stuck in a fixed position all the time (since I can remove the lyre and the stem, the ring wouldn't be obtrusive when I'm not marching). Do I run the risk of damaging the horn if I solder the ring?

On the other hand, I've never been able to find such a lyre for a French horn. Does it exist? If not, is there any other instrument with a similar gauge so I can use their lyres?

Thanks!

There are other options, for instance there are trumpet lyres that actually have a mount that clamps on like this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/marching-band/bach-1815-clamp-on-trumpet-cornet-lyre?cntry=us&source=3WWMWXGP&gclid=CKfhjr2zoMgCFQuQaQodAAcKjw&kwid=productads-plaid%5E82171897467-sku%5E450326000000000@ADL4MF-adType%5EPLA-device%5Em-adid%5E51870555867
I have personally see these on a french horn and it works great with no dents

Thanks a lot, Skthompson! That lyre really looks great. I must check my horn and see whether there is a piece of tube where I can place it without its being too tilted. It certainly looks less denting than the one I have.

I finally bought something resembling the trumpet lyre and adapter shown in the second link I copied, and I must say I'm very happy with it. I find that I can leave the ring placed in the horn all the time, and remove only the lyre, which is very conveniente. The ring adapter has a thin piece of felt inside, and even though I cannot tighten the screw all the way (otherwise, owing to the geometry of the screw and the horn tubes, it would make a hole in the tube), it doesn't move. And, what's more, although the sheet music isn't completely level with my eyes, it's less tilted that with the original French horn lyre.

A great solution.