Ouvert

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a horn or brass part, or shown as a small circle over a note, to cancel bouché, a mute or cuivré; it stays in force until the next stopped or muted instruction. Over strings the same circle means an open string or harmonic, so the instrument decides the reading.

How Composers Use It

Ouvert returns the instrument to its normal open sound. Write it at the first open note even when the change seems obvious, especially in horn parts that alternate quickly between bouché (+) and open (o): alternated note by note, the signs give a vivid echo effect. Allow time when a mute has to come out; a change of hand-stopping is almost instant.

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