Benno Weber, Autor bei NATURTOENE.CH

Highlights from the 1st Natural Sound Day

24. September 2026 Benno Weber Leave a comment

On September 19, we held the 1st Naturtontag in Bern. The event was intended to serve as a platform for discussion about the alphorn and other natural-scale instruments. We also used the occasion to foster networking across all language, national, and stylistic boundaries. In the morning, participants at the Klingendes Museum were treated to interesting presentations on all things alphorn, including one by Thomas Heel on the topic of inclusion (see also the blog post here) and by Mario Schenker

Breath support – a journey of discovery

15. April 2026 Benno Weber One comment

In this article, we will look at the “physiology of breathing”. I will invite you on a journey of discovery with the alphorn into the origin of the sound in your body.

The alphorn as an inclusive music education vehicle

22. August 2025 Benno Weber Leave a comment

Anyone who often works with groups and the alphorn knows that a lot happens! The alphorn lets us breathe together, we listen to each other improvising, perceive common vibes, communicate sensitively and non-verbally. Can these experiences sustainably improve the quality of relationships in the group? As part of an action research project, Thomas Heel explored the question of how the alphorn can be used as an inclusive music education vehicle. He processed his experiences with a class at the vocational

Sound proof alphorn practice room

15. December 2024 Benno Weber Leave a comment

This summer I published an article about alphorn silencers here. If you have the space at home, you can of course build a soundproof practice room as an alternative. Here are a few photos of my latest project. Material costs approx. 1500 CHF, around 4-5 working days for a 12 square meter room. All walls / ceiling double in 15mm plywood; ventilation with sound labyrinth. Measured insulation approx. 33 db.

Alphorn mutes

14. June 2024 Benno Weber Leave a comment

If you play the alphorn in your rented apartment, you risk getting into trouble with the neighbors. Mutes are a possible auxiliary solution. Which model works best?

Electronic Alphorn Sounds – Update for Ableton Live 12

1. April 2024 Benno Weber Leave a comment

With the latest release of Ableton Live 12, it is now possible to load tunings programmed in Scala directly and apply them to a variety of samplers and synthesizers. You can download tuning files for alphorns and Büchel here.

Alphorn and copyright

14. November 2023 Benno Weber Leave a comment

Alphorn music is subject to copyright. Alphorn players should familiarize themselves with the basics. This is not primarily about legal problems, but about the question of respect and appreciation towards the composers.

Alphorn Play-Alongs with Musescore

17. October 2023 Benno Weber Leave a comment

Play-Alongs are very popular with alphorn players. Many scores are now available in electronic formats, and with the free software Musescore, rendering to audio is no problem. Here is a step-by-step guide for the technically inexperienced.

Alphorn maker – Franz Schüssele

5. August 2023 Benno Weber Leave a comment

The opportunity for this portrait arose on the occasion of a performance of Frapepi at Uhuru Festival 2023. Unexpectedly, things got a bit chaotic: A storm on the Weissenstein shredded the tents of the festival visitors, and during the concert the area had to be evacuated. At least we found a reasonably quiet barn for the interview and alphorn trial. Franz Schüssele is an alphorn Jack of all trades. He began his musical career as a trombonist in classical music

Alphorn builder – Silver & Brass

21. July 2023 Benno Weber Leave a comment

Brandi and Lindsey Jones are, to my knowledge, the only alphorn making couple in the world. They have known each other since their school days. Musically, they went the way of the trombone to the French horn as an inseparable duo. Lindsey graduated early and dedicated himself to restoring brass instruments with his Nevada-based business, Silver & Brass Musical Instruments, beginning in 2013. Brandi joined the business full time when it began generating enough sales to cover the young couple’s