Before the government bans all manner of horns, let’s have a timely post on everybody’s favorite—the portable air horn. Like Pavlov’s bell, I’m pretty sure every living creature despises this cruel sound. More jump-scare than sound object. The loudness is definitely the most annoying aspect, but the portamento also plays a role in this handheld nuisance. The downward portamento especially has a mocking quality. It might not be so bad without the bend.
BEEEEEOOOOOOHHHHNNN. B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-BEEEEOOOOOOOHHHHNNN. You can probably hear the air horn in your head just from my phonetic spelling, but just in case, here it is below.
Be sure to adjust your volume down and if you’re wearing earbuds, God save you!
The popular portable air horn begins around a G5 and slides down about a fourth to a D5.
Air horns have been widely used at sportball games. NHL uses the horn for a goal and UFC at the end of a round. It is a popular sample in reggae and hip hop. The Battle Rap league URL uses the sound to signify a fire bar, usually followed by a “Don Demarco.” The air horn basically adds hype to any situation. Hockey game, rap battle, Canadian border, you name it!
