Dutch term – Midwinterhoorn

Midwinterhoorn literally means “Mid winter horn.” It is a wooden horn that is typical for the eastern part of the country. The horns are made of a curved branch of a tree, which is sawed in half length-wise, hollowed out and put back together with a mouth piece attached to it.

In Gelderland and Overijssel, midwinterhoorns are traditionally played during the Advent season. They are often played over a well, to amplify the sound, which can carry over miles and miles.

Blowing the Midwinterhoorn. Credits: Rasbak, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)

For me, Midwinterhoorns remind me of my childhood. I grew up in Twente (the eastern part of Overijssel) and fondly remember their eerie melodies rising up and down in the night. They also remind me of the countless hours I spent in my grandfather’s shed, helping him with his woodworking. Opa made several Midwinterhoorns, the largest being well over a meter (about 4′) in length.

I remember the woody taste of the mouthpiece, and how I was never able to get more than one tone out of the instrument. The one tone I could produce sounded more like a whoopie cushion than an actual note. A midwinterhoorn has no holes or valves; the different tones are all created by the shape of the lips and applying different air pressure. It takes quite a bit of practice (and lung capacity!) to play them well. Here’s a video showing an experienced Midwinterhoorn player.