Johannes Finke Fifty Years of Making Brass Instruments Cornucopia, November 2000

Fifty years ago, Johannes Finke's father turned from playing trumpet in a chamber orchestra to manufacturing historical brass instruments such as natural trumpets, clarino trumpets, and sackbuts. Johannes now carries on the family business with his father, Helmut, still making historical instruments but specializing in custom horns since the 70's. Johannes visited Osmun Music in October to display his instruments and talk with customers.

Johannes is an amateur horn player, but his work schedule, with long days and much traveling, leaves little time for practicing. Johannes trained seriously for horn making, serving an apprenticeship with his father, studying materials science and manufacturing processes at a technical school, attending a brass instrument course in Mittenwald, and passing the guild's master's exam.

"My father was the first brass instrument maker to combine acoustical research with the traditional style and tone of the horn," explains Johannes. "He contacted the technical institute at Brunswick in the early 60's to find out how to improve intonation and response to meet the demands of players. Other makers laughed at my father then, but now they are all using the technology, too." Finke Horns focuses on the first twelve harmonics of the horn, striving to produce even intonation and to make playing easy over the whole range of the instrument.

"We aim for our instruments to have a soft, dark sound," Johannes continues. Finke ships three different leadpipes with each instrument, but although the different tapers produce different playing qualities, the result is still round and dark. "Other innovations are plastic/carbon valves for lighter, faster valve action. This type of material is used in aircraft industries and is very strong. We use only mechanical linkages and a shorter stroke to give a more direct feeling in the valves." They also consider ergonomical factors, making sure that the horn is light, well balanced, and feels good in the hands.

Johannes seems proudest of the fact that each horn is not only handmade, but also custom made. "Every aspect of the horn is tailored to the particular customer," he says, "and our prices are very competitive with other handmade horns." There are five employees in the workshop.

Johannes took some horns to the IHS workshop in China to display. Unexpectedly, every one was sold. He enjoyed visiting China and cruising in the Three Gorges. He sees a good market ahead in China. He also likes Boston and plans to return soon.

You can find out more about Johannes and Finke horns at www.finkehorns.de

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