The French Horn is the middle voice of the brass family. The French Horn is unique because the player controls the valves with his or her left hand, and the right hand is used inside the bell to affect the sound. The earliest brass instruments looked a lot like the french horn. French Horns can be "single," meaning it has one set of pipes and valves, or "double," meaning it has two sets of pipes controlled by an extra thumb valve in addition to the three finger valves. Many beginners start on a single horn and upgrade to a double later.
You might make a great french horn player if:
You might make a great french horn player if:
- You are a great singer with a very good sense of pitch
- You are fairly confident in taking risks
- You can make a good buzzing sound on a French Horn mouthpiece, producing both high and low pitches
- You have medium- to smaller-sized lips
- You are average to tall in height for your age
This solo French Horn player created an arrangement of lots of movie themes and recorded all the parts himself!
|
Here is a video of the American Horn Quartet playing an arrangement of Khachaturian's Sabre Dance, which is often used in childrens' cartoons!
|
Financial Information
The French Horn is one of the more expensive brass instruments. Typically French Horn players rent their first instrument, then upgrade to a better instrument in Middle School. French Horn players might also choose to upgrade mouthpieces throughout high school. Because the French Horn is essentially two instruments in one, maintenance can be a little tricky. This can be accomplished easily for the most meticulous students. French Horns typically go in for cleaning and adjustment once per year. In Marching Band, schools typically loan out a different instrument, the Mellophone, for students to play. Great French Horn players often receive college scholarships.