French Horn

What's a French Horn?

The French horn (since the 1930s known simply as the "horn" in professional music circles) is a brass instrument made of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. The double horn in F/B♭ (technically a variety of German horn) is the horn most often used by players in professional orchestras and bands.

History

The modern orchestral brass French horn was an invention based on early hunting horns. Horns were first used as musical instruments during 16th century operas. During the 17th century, modifications to the bell end (larger and flared bells) of the horn were made and the cor de chasse, or French horn as the English called it was born.The first horns were monotone instruments. In 1753, a German musician called Hampel invented the means of applying movable slides (crooks) of various length that changed the key of the horn.

In the 19th century, valves instead of crooks were used, giving birth to the modern French Horn and eventually the double French Horn

Range

The standard range starting from a low F♯ is based on the characteristics of the single horn in F. But there is a great deal of music written beyond this range, on the assumption that players are using a double horn in F/B♭. Although the upper range of the horn repertoire rarely exceeds high C, skilled players in a good symphony orchestra can achieve yet higher pitches.

How to play

To play any brass instrument, one must “buzz” the lips in order to produce a sound. Put your lips together as if you were saying the letter, “M”, then pretend to spit out a watermelon seed as you blow air through your lips. Allowing the lips to “buzz” freely, without playing into the mouthpiece, will ensure a good sound when playing your first notes on your French Horn

Fun Facts!

1. Not all French horns have been used for music purposes. Once called a “hunting horn,” it’s that same instrument you see red-coated European aristocrats carrying on horseback in period dramas.

2. Musicians don’t just place their hands in French horns to hold them in position. It actually affects the pitch of certain notes, meaning the musician uses more than breathing techniques and lip tension to stay in-tune.

3. When uncoiled, the horn is 12 to 13 feet long. That’s a lot of tubing!!!!